The Financial Legacy of Walt Disney’s Heirs and the Role of Trusts

March 11, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Business Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Power of Attorney

The Walt Disney Company has come a long way since it was founded by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney nearly a century ago. What began as a cartoon studio is now a media powerhouse, complete with amusement parks and properties.

The Latest on Kirk Douglas’ Estate

March 9, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Advanced Directives, Asset Protection, Business Planning, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Old Hollywood didn’t pay stars well by modern standards, but Kirk had the wisdom to own his most iconic films and pour the profit into property. Soon philanthropy will force tough choices. The death of any giant produces shockwaves. Where Kirk Douglas is concerned, those ripples reveal how much the entertainment landscape changed in his lifetime and how much the numbers have grown.

Does My Mom Have to Pay My Dad’s Credit Card Debt after He Dies?

February 28, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

My father recently passed away and we discovered he had a large credit card debt on a card in his name. My mother wasn’t aware of it. All assets are in both of their names. Is my mother liable for the credit card debt?

Fixing an Estate Plan Mistake

February 20, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Sometimes, despite best intentions and best efforts, an estate plan leaves unintended problems for heirs, trustees and others to solve. For example, a trust may have become outdated because of changes in tax laws, the birth or death of family members, or special circumstances like an heir’s disability.

What’s the Best Thing to Do with an Inherited Investment?

Receiving an inheritance can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's overwhelming, thanks to the intense emotions associated with losing a loved one combined with the confusion about what to do with the newly acquired assets. On the other, an inheritance can re-invigorate your finances and create new opportunities for you and your family.

Inheritance

The Financial Legacy of Walt Disney’s Heirs and the Role of Trusts

The Latest on Kirk Douglas’ Estate

Does My Mom Have to Pay My Dad’s Credit Card Debt after He Dies?

Fixing an Estate Plan Mistake

What’s the Best Thing to Do with an Inherited Investment?

From Gentle Persuasion to a No-Nonsense Approach, Talking About Estate Plans

How Can Celebrities’ Estate Planning Be Impacted by Alzheimer’s?

Should I Name a Minor as an IRA Beneficiary?

Can I Place My IRA in a Trust?

Which Stars Won’t Leave Their Estates to Their Children?