What is Estate Planning? Surprise! Estate Planning is not taxes, laws or assets although these are the subjects you hear about the most. Yes, it’s governed by state and federal laws and yes, we lawyers talk a lot about what to do to make sure your loved ones receive what you intended and yes, it’s... [Read More]
Category: Estate Planning
Alaska May Tax Alaskan Trusts
Estate Planning Changes in Alaska “Alaskan Trusts” have been favored Estate Tax Vehicles due to Alaska’s asset protection laws, flexible Trust Laws and there being no State Income Tax. This could all change. However, there is an Alaska State House Bill seeking to impose income tax as Alaska’s economy has tanked. Much of the oil... [Read More]
Riches – In Connection
What does Connection mean to you? Picture Perfect? The Norman Rockwell paintings of the family gathering around the holiday table, or the scene of the family and friends circling around Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life” are images that often evoke happiness as we think of our own memories during the holidays. Unfortunately, it can... [Read More]
Gratitude Offsets Anger and Fear
One cannot be in both Gratitude and also in Anger or Fear at the same time. If we are in gratitude we are in polar opposite of, and unable to be in, Anger or Fear. Anger locks us down wherein we are unable to move forward. Fear of the future also... [Read More]
Traveling for the Holidays? Does your Estate Plan work across State lines?
Ho Ho Ho! Get on the Road (or your sleigh): Christmas time is the second most traveled holiday in the United States after Thanksgiving. People are traveling to be near loved ones, friends, family or as a time away for vacation from work or school. Here are some interesting holiday travel... [Read More]
Media Mogul Redstone Court Fight
View image | gettyimages.com Background: A legal battle has begun over the medical care of media mogul Sumner Redstone. The 92 year old billionaire Redstone is the primary owner of CBS Corporation and Viacom, Inc. Issue: A lawsuit has been filed by Redstone’s former girlfriend who was recently replaced as legal authority of his healthcare.... [Read More]
Thankful
I read that “Thankfulness is the antidote to worry.” If we “count our blessings”, start off the day listing 5 things we are thankful for, each morning we begin to live in gratitude. “Gratitude” cannot exist at the same time as “Anger”, “Resentment” or “Fear”. You really cannot feel both at the same time. So if... [Read More]
A Lovely Evening out … and then Gunfire!
The world sat in shock and glued to our TV’s as details of this news trickled out of Paris, France on the coordinated terrorist attacks at six (6) different locations in and around Paris on Friday evening. 129 have died so far from the attacks with hundreds more wounded. In the aftermath of the coordinated... [Read More]
I Don’t Want To Be A Burden
“I don’t want to be a burden” is a phrase I often hear from my Estate Planning clients. They don’t want to be a burden to their family or loved ones. They have seen how other seniors, whether they are friends or family, have been burdens to other family members who have taken on the... [Read More]
Change of Seasons
Beautiful colorful leaves are still hanging on many trees. Days and nights are cooler. It has been raining here in Western North Carolina. The lights of the day are shorter. Even on the clock, we have “fallen back” one hour. Fall is definitely here. The long warm days of summer with the bright green leaves... [Read More]