The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the 2019 limits for gift taxes and estates -- and it's a huge relief for many wealthy seniors who may have been worried about any large gifts they hoped to pass along to their heirs. In 2019, the annual gift exclusion...
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Month: November 2018
Should you try mediation for a guardianship dispute?
When a beloved relative's health and mental functioning are seemingly in decline, it's only natural for relatives to want to step in and protect him or her from abuses. What happens, however, when there are different opinions about what's best for the senior? What if...
Heirs accuse singer-songwriter’s widow of deceit
Did the widow of singer-songwriter Sir Mack Rice, the legendary composer of Mustang Sally and other iconic hits, defraud her husband while he was alive? That's essentially the allegation by one of the songwriter's sons from another relationship. The son has filed a...
How to discuss estate planning with your parents
If you have not yet brought up the subject of estate planning with your parents, you are not alone. Many families are just not comfortable talking about money around each other and the subject of death is never easy to bring up. Your parents may have also shied away...
The pros and cons of incentive trusts
Are you worried that the wealth you intend to pass on to your heirs will cause those heirs to lose their focus and falter on the path to personal success? It does happen. Fortunately, something called an incentive trust can allow you to use wealth as a motivator and...
Who is the best conservator and guardian for your loved one?
What happens when an elderly loved one needs someone to handle his or her financial affairs as a conservator? What if they also need someone to take charge of their day-to-day welfare as a legal guardian? Is it better to have a family member of a professional handle...