Adulting, Made Easier – Stories & Straight Talk
Quick reads, helpful tips, and honest breakdowns of what you need to know.
Featured Posts
Trust in Your Will vs. a Living Trust: What’s the Real Difference? (Part 2)
A living trust offers immediate protection and probate avoidance, but understanding how it works and whether it fits your goals is essential to making the right choice. Read more...
100 Heirs, $17 Billion & a Tech Billionaire’s Estate Playbook
Over 100 heirs? Whether you're distributing billions—or just wanting your values to carry on—thoughtful planning is non-negotiable. That’s the only way to make sure your wealth and your values land where you want them. Read more…
The Power of Trusts in Legacy Planning: A Lesson from Matthew Perry's Estate Plan
When Matthew Perry, the beloved Friends star, passed away last year, the world grieved the loss of a comedic legend. But as details about his estate surfaced, an unexpected question arose: why did his wealth seem smaller than anticipated? Read more.
Before You Agree to Be a Trustee, Read This!
Being asked by a loved one to serve as Trustee for their Trust upon their death can be quite an honor, but it’s also a significant responsibility—and the role is not for everyone. Indeed, serving as a Trustee entails a broad array of duties, and you are both ethically and legally required to execute those duties or face potential liability.
Before you say yes, be sure you understand what it means to be a Trustee.
In the end, your responsibility as a Trustee will vary greatly depending on the size of the estate, the type of assets covered by the Trust, the type of Trust, how many beneficiaries there are, and the document’s terms. In light of this, you should carefully review the specifics of the Trust you would be managing before deciding to serve.
Trusts & Taxes: What You Need To Know
People often come to us curious — or confused — about the role trusts play in saving on taxes. Given how frequently this issue comes up, here we’re going to explain the tax implications associated with different types of trusts in order to clarify this issue. Of course, if you need further clarification about trusts, taxes, or any other issue related to estate planning, meet with us, your Personal Family Lawyer® for additional guidance.
3 Critical Considerations For How To Save For Your Child’s (or Grandchild's) College Education—Part 2
Last week, in part one of this series, we discussed 529 plans and education savings accounts, which are both popular options for saving for a college education. One of the main reasons for their popularity is their tax-saving advantages. The money you contribute to a 529 account grows on a tax-deferred basis, and withdrawals are tax-free, provided they are used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and other education-related fees.
That said, one of the downsides of 529 plans is that they come with strict limits on how you can use the funds (for education-related expenses only), and they also have a limited range of options for how you can invest your funds, primarily in various mutual funds. For these reasons, 529 plans and ESAs aren’t always the best fit for some families looking to save for their loved one's education.
3 Critical Considerations For How To Save For Your Child’s (or Grandchild's) College Education—Part 1
If you have started to save for your child or grandchild’s college education, it’s worth considering whether to use a 529 plan, an education savings account, or an Irrevocable Trust.
Here’s what we think you should consider as you decide:
First, consider whether you want your offspring to have broader options than just the traditional college experience.
Since the pandemic's start, college enrollments have declined by over one million students over the past two years. With college tuition getting more and more expensive, many students are considering alternatives to the traditional higher education path.