We write a lot in this blog about the importance of estate planning, particularly when it comes to drafting a will and setting up appropriate trusts. While these certainly are important steps to providing individuals security and peace of mind, in some cases estate...
Estate Planning
Estate planning: not just for the rich and famous
It's a fact that few United Kingdom residents want to contemplate, yet the inevitability of death is something we must all eventually face. While an individual isn't able to control many of the circumstances related to death, they can take steps to manage what happens to...
Four essential estate planning documents
Many United Kingdom residents have likely failed to proactively address estate planning matters. The reasons for failing to draft a will or set up a trust are numerous. Some individuals simply don't want to contemplate end of life matters, others may feel they are too...
Estate planning for a digital life
Today, the majority of United Kingdom residents likely use online banking and have a Facebook account. In fact a growing number of Americans are choosing to use the Internet to conduct both financial and personal business. This shift in how Americans interact with and use...
Estate planning for blended families
Today's definition of family comes in many configurations. Second and third marriages, multiple children and property accumulated prior to and during a marriage make for complex estate planning issues. When a blended family presents, it's important that parents take...
A living will, essential to estate planning
For many individuals and couples, the first step towards establishing a comprehensive estate plan typically starts with a will. Once a will, and perhaps a trust, has been established another important, but often overlooked estate planning component is a living will or...
What can go wrong with a do-it-yourself will?
With the advent of the internet there has been a plethora of do-it-yourself websites that portend to teach people how to do everything from fix a washing machine to a do-it-yourself will. But there are limits these websites may or may not disclose in the process,...
Gift and estate tax changes after 2012 ‘fiscal cliff’ bill, pt. 2
This week's post will continue on last week's topic of what the American Taxpayer Relief Tax Act of 2012 means to life-time gift and estate tax planning. In regards to the portability of exclusion amounts, there are requirements in timing and filing of paperwork in...
Gift and estate tax changes after 2012 ‘fiscal cliff’ bill, pt. 1
There has been much uncertainty with what Congress would do to the estate and gift tax rates and limitations, but that has all been determined with the American Taxpayer Relief Tax Act of 2012. Now, United Kingdom estate planning attorneys have a tax code they can...