Estate Planning
How to Avoid Probate in Idaho
The process of estate planning is not only about managing your property and assets. A big part of estate planning includes preparing for worst-case scenarios by creating plans to avoid unnecessary costs or losses and to protect yourself or your loved ones. The right estate planning can help you maximize your legacy and take advantage of best-case scenarios. Making sure that you avoid probate is a good place to start.
For many, the prospect of probate — the legal process of recognizing a will and appointing an executor to administer the estate — can cause anxiety as court proceedings can be …
How Can I Avoid Paying Estate/Inheritance Taxes When I’m Gone?
Proper estate planning will allow you to reduce or eliminate the amount of estate taxes you pay upon your death and how much your heirs will inherit.
Estate planning is an important process that defines your assets and offers tools and customized strategies to best fit your situation and lifetime goals. During your career and after, accumulating wealth is important to provide for your family, pay for living expenses, education, and so much more.
In addition to safe-guarding and growing your wealth, estate planning is also designed to help you avoid taxes.
While tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance is a common legal …
Power of Attorney in Washington State: What You Need to Know
Deciding to set up an estate plan can be difficult, however, peace of mind can be priceless. An Estate planning package can include a will & trust that appoints guardians for your children, estate administrators, charitable giving, and asset protection. Making these important decisions if often less onerous when you work with skilled and compassionate elder law lawyers who understand the emotional complexity inherent to these decisions and the applicable Washington State laws.
We all face uncertainty; it’s the nature of living. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on family and financial security has illuminated the urgent need to consider estate …
Everything You Need to Know About Estate Planning in Idaho
Death, while inevitable, is not something most people enjoy thinking about. That is why so many people avoid creating an estate plan. But ignoring the reality of life and death does not make either go away – it just complicates matters.
Regardless of one’s current age or health status, an estate plan is necessary for any person who has dependents, owns property, has savings or investments, or owns a business. A well-crafted estate plan protects your heirs and loved ones in the event of a crisis or death. It can also protect your legacy to ensure that your wishes are followed …
Total Guide to Estate Planning in Washington State
America’s nickname is The Land of Opportunity, a place where anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their goals, including amassing material wealth – money, real estate, personal property and any other assets. But what happens to those assets – your estate – when you pass away?
Talking about this topic can be difficult, but important. However, in order to protect your legacy and make sure your wishes are fulfilled, planning what happens after you’re gone is crucial.
What does “Estate Planning” mean?
Estate planning is establishing a formal, legal plan in the event of a …
Estate Planning 2021: What’s In Store?
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
Many of my clients are wondering what 2021 has in store for them with the changing of the guard at the White House. It’s no surprise that President Joe Biden is planning on making changes to the tax code. Could this impact your estate, gift taxes, and income taxes? Possibly.
From what I have been reading, planning concerns are for very wealthy individuals and couples – the Top 1%. Those who are worth less than, let’s say $5 million, may not …
Fame, Fortune & Dying Without a Will
I was saddened to hear of the recent loss of Tony Hsieh, retired CEO of Zappos. Under Mr. Hsieh’s leadership, Zappos went from $1.6M in revenue in 2000 to $1B in revenue in 2009. It brought him fame and fortune. That fortune being $850M at the time of his death.
What really struck me as I read the news about him was the comment that Tony Hsieh passed away without having a will in place. As any attorney that practices Elder Law, we know this happens frequently. People often die without a will in place, though, not usually at …
Up and Personal with Telelaw
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
Remember not so long ago when “up and personal” meant a hug or handshake? When getting together didn’t require a mask? When sitting in my office care meant we could sit at a table together and not worry about our health and passing germs?
I miss seeing my clients. I miss having them come into my office and getting to know them on a personal level. I’m saddened they are leery of leaving their homes due to a virus that they can’t see or feel. But I’m heartened that we now have the option …
Yes, Yes, Yes! Everyone Needs Health Care Directive
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
Who knew that 2020 was going to be a year where our health was going to be at the forefront of a global pandemic. People waiting in long lines to be tested for a virus. Having your temperature taken to have a meal at a restaurant. Oh, and at the restaurant, being seated 6 feet apart! And don’t forget your mask. Yet, while we practice social distancing (including at our office by offering telelaw), wear a mask, wash our hands a zillion times a day, we don’t plan for actually contracting the …
Looking Back to Look Forward
By Holland McBurns, Managing Partner, Evergreen Elder Law
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about how life has changed these past few months and wondering where do we go next. I never thought in my lifetime a viral pandemic would bring the US to a roaring halt, much less, the rest of the world. So much sadness and fear on one side; so many acts of kindness and caring on another. Communities coming together to help those in need such as our neighbors, the homeless, families, veterans and the elderly. It is truly a beautiful thing to see.
When I opened …
