Taxpayer Identification Numbers
October 25th, 2017
Frequently, there’s confusion regarding Taxpayer Identification Numbers. A Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”), is the number which is used to identify a taxpayer. For most individuals, it’s simply their social security number (“SSN”). For many businesses and trusts it’s an employer identification number (“EIN”). Here is a link for more information on TINs, including how to […]
Remember to Coordinate Your Estate Plan
October 21st, 2017
A client has many types of assets. Let’s look at a typical client. John has $1,000,000. This includes his home, worth $250,000, a brokerage account worth $400,000, and an IRA worth $350,000. John is unmarried and wants 45% to go his son, 45% to his daughter, 5% to his brother, and 5% to his sister. […]
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
October 18th, 2017
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (sometimes referred to as “ILITs”) are a commonly used strategy designed to keep life insurance out of the taxable estate of the insured and owner. Sometimes, life insurance is purchased in large amounts. Thus, it can easily create a taxable estate where none existed prior to the life insurance. Let’s look […]
Medicaid Planning and Trusts
October 14th, 2017
Today’s estate planning is about more than just planning for death. Today, estate planning is about helping people prepare for difficulties during life, helping them pass their assets in the best way at death, and helping them preserve their legacy after they’re gone. Part of this planning process may be to help them plan their […]
Credit Shelter Trusts
October 11th, 2017
The gold standard for estate planning has been the credit shelter trust, often called a Family Trust. With each spouse being able to pass $5 million adjusted for inflation ($5.49 million in 2017) and with federal portability without a sunset provision, questions have arisen as to whether credit shelter trust planning is still necessary or […]
Joint, Separate, and Unmarried Trusts
October 7th, 2017
There are different types of revocable trusts for different family situations. The first and simplest trust to understand is the unmarried trust. This revocable trust is established for one unmarried individual. It is taxed as a grantor trust because it is revocable. It may use the grantor’s social security number as the tax id number […]
Trusts and Subtrusts
October 4th, 2017
A trust may be created during life, either as a revocable trust or an irrevocable trust. Or a trust may be created under a Will. Regardless of the attributes of the instrument creating the trust, different sub-trusts may be created under the trust. If the assets start in the Will, the Will could name the […]
The Revocable Living Trust – The Better Alternative to a Will
September 30th, 2017
Most Americans have been led to believe that a Will is the way to handle their final affairs. That is because most lawyers profit from their clients having one. How can that be, because wills are typically not very expensive? Here is the dirty little secret that most lawyers don’t want you to know: they […]
A Trust is Often Better Than a Will
September 27th, 2017
Contrary to what you’ve probably heard, a will may not be the best estate plan for you and your family. That’s primarily because a will does not avoid probate when you die. All wills must be filed in probate court before they can go into effect. Also, a will provides no protection if you become […]
October Estate Planning Workshops in the North Metro Area
September 23rd, 2017
Coon Rapids Civic Center Civic Room C 11155 Robinson Dr. Coon Rapids, MN 55433 Tuesday, October 10 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. or Thursday, October 19 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Tavern Grill 10950 Club West Parkway, Suite 280 Blaine, MN 55449 Thursday, October 12 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Majestic Oaks Golf Club […]