Reports
Special Reports are written on topics that affect various aspects of estate planning and the laws that govern it.
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These reports are published by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and cover a wide-variety of subjects relating to estate planning. Click on a report title to read more or to order a complimentary copy.
While planning for the care of a special needs child certainly tops the list of emotionally-charged topics, the peace of mind parents gain from a well-designed estate plan is immeasurable.
If you or your loved one is a wartime Veteran in need of daily assistance due to any disabling medical condition you may qualify for monetary benefits from the Veterans Administration’s Aid & Attendance Special Pension.
Every American adult shares a dubious characteristic—each is a walking litigation target. Part of your birthright is that you may be sued at any time, for any reason, and for any amount.
Americans are some of the most generous givers on the face of the planet. They reach into their pockets and take out their checkbooks on behalf of others more often than any other industrialized nation.
At first glance, the concept of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) seems simple enough: a structured way to save for your golden years while deferring taxes on your growing nest egg.
A humorous take on how families pass on businesses, such as family farms, is reflected in this quip: Avenge your children; give them equal shares in your business.
If you own life insurance, congratulations. Sadly, most of us put off this critical element in our family's financial planning, which may have devastating consequences on the loved ones left behind.
While often maligned as a headache, in reality probate offers a solid legal framework with advantages for those who have properly prepared prior to death and who have retained skilled legal counsel.
The passing of someone close to you is a difficult and emotionally draining time. The last thing you likely want to deal with is the business of settling your loved one’s final affairs. But, if you are a potential executor, it’s one of those things that must be done, and it’s not as horrible as you may have feared.
Problems often arise when a parent with minor children passes away with no estate plan in place, leaving behind potential hardship on the emotional and financial future of their minor children.
Are you worried about being sued? Well, you should be. It is reported that there are 18 million lawsuits in the United States each year. However, that isn't the whole story.
Are you worried about being sued? Well, you should be. There are 18 million lawsuits in the United States each year. But that isn't the whole story. Have you heard of the "deep pocket" syndrome?
Incapacity planning is a broad area of law that covers how you are cared for if you become physically or mentally unable to care for yourself.
This report describes the estate tax valuation benefits available to owners of farms or other business real property.
Who will care for your pets if you can no longer do so? If you have a dog, cat or other pet, you know that the unconditional love and affection our pets devote to us improve the quality of our lives in ways nothing else can.
Trust Administration is the process people often find themselves in unexpectedly, after the death of a spouse or parent who created the trust prior to passing on.
For Seniors, the debate over Wills versus Probate holds special meaning, because the vast majority of Probate cases revolve around the affairs of those Americans ages 60 and over.
Some people mistakenly believe that drafting a will avoids the costly, time-consuming legal process called probate. Read this article to find out about wills, probate and Living Trusts.
Terri Schiavo’s voice can still be heard, just in a different manner than before. Want to make sure you have the final say in your life? This report will tell you how the proper estate planning tools can guarantee that your end-of-life decisions are carried out.
This report informs the reader of what FDIC actually is and explains the basic coverage FDIC offers.
Estate planning is an essential part of life and death. In planning for our future and our family’s future, we must take stock of who we are, what our goals are, and how we want our estate distributed.
Our firm has found that looking after these financial assets is only a part of planning for passing on your legacy. Typically speaking, non-financial assets are more valued and often omitted when passing an estate to future generations.
For surviving family members, the hours and days following a loved one’s death is no time for weighty decisions. For many Americans, however, this will be the first time they think about the preparations for their loved one’s funeral.
Chances are you’ve already heard a lot about the attributes of Living Trusts: avoiding probate and legal quagmires, sometimes lowering estate and/or income taxes and protecting privacy.
One thing should be clear by now: we do our families and ourselves a great disservice when we fail to plan for every contingency. That's why a crucial first step in this entire process should be a consultation with an estate planning attorney.
Why create an estate plan? As 2013 started, the estate planning world had a new law: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), enacted January 2, 2013.
The question of what will happen to your children without you or their own partner will be answered someday. In preparation for the unexpected and the inevitable, it is important to set up a proper estate plan.
Many people think of estate planning as a life event. You spend some time with your estate planning attorney and talk about your goals, plans, dreams, and fears for the future.
While most people know they should have some sort of estate plan in place, many procrastinate because they don’t want to undertake the process of creating one. Some are concerned...
The unhappy truth about marriage is that 2.5 million of them end in divorce each year. For first marriages, this typically happens somewhere around the 11th anniversary. If you’re married...
Why create an estate plan? For most of our lives the greatest risk to our well-being isn’t death. It’s the ever-growing likelihood of becoming seriously ill or injured. As Carolyn...
Although Joint Tenancy offers some short-term conveniences, in the long run it poses a host of problems that can cost you and your loved ones many times the expense and...
If you’re like most people you probably just want an estate plan to give your estate to whom you want, when you want and how you want. You don’t want...
As citizens of a culture that worships youth, most of us find it nearly impossible to admit our own mortality, much less make plans for that eventuality. Denial, however, offers...
Why create an estate plan? You don’t have to be a millionaire to benefit from an estate plan. Reasons to create an estate plan are as unique as the individuals...
