» Estate Planning

Descent of Homestead and Why It Matters to You

A homestead is more than just a home. Homes are places where families have made memories over the years, a source of pride for the owners, and one of the largest financial investments a person will have. Understanding how a homestead will transfer up… Read More
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Transfer-on-Death Applica…

Transfer-on-Death Applications Now Available for Motor Vehicles

According to a Census survey, an estimated 91.3% of U.S. households owned at least one vehicle in 2016. Another study reports that some 268.8 million vehicles were registered in the U.S. in 2016. Needless to say, owning a vehicle is common among our… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

The Time to Start Thinking About Farm Succession Planning is Now

Among the unique set of problems farmers encounter, estate and succession planning is often the most challenging. Determining when and how to transfer the farm is a long and not always straightforward process. This can include identifying the farm su… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Farm
I have a will. Doesn't th…

I have a will. Doesn't that mean my estate won't go through probate??

Unfortunately, just because someone has a will does not mean that their estate will not go through probate. What is probate? Probate is the legal process of settling an estate after a person has died. A petition must be filed with the court and a per… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Estate Planning in a Digi…

Estate Planning in a Digital Age

Many of us have some sort of online presence, whether that be something as simple as an e-mail account or multiple social media profiles or accounts on sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Snapchat. Regardless of the extent of your online… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

How to Share Family History and Heirlooms with Your Estate Plan

The best time to share your family history with loved ones is right now, before the memories are forgotten. Holidays are family get-togethers are great opportunities to share the history of your family with children and grandchildren. While you can a… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Don’t Forget Fido: Esta…

Don’t Forget Fido: Estate Planning with Pets

When we sit down to discuss someone’s estate planning, the questions we ask are quite simple: What do you have? Where do you want it to go? Who do you want to manage your affairs after you’ve passed away? As part of these discussions, we often ta… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Estate and Gift Tax Update for 2018

President Trump signed the new tax bill into law on Friday, December 22, 2017, making for some big changes in federal estate tax planning. Under the new law, the federal estate tax exemption will be substantially increased for tax years starting in 2… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

For some, last chance to capture charitable deduction before tax reform hits

With tax reform underway starting in 2018, now may be the last chance for many to maximize their charitable contribution deductions. While the deduction for charitable contributions is preserved in the new tax bill, many fewer taxpayers will actually… Read More
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Why Estate Planning is Essential for Millennials

Millennials currently make up one fourth of the US population and are projected to soon surpass Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living generation. Millennials also represent more than one quarter of the U.S. workforce with this number expected… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning