Creating a trust can be an efficient way to give your heirs an inheritance. Remember that when you compose your trust, you must be sure to fund it or assign ownership of property to the trust. Even if you complete this important step, you may come into valuable assets...
Trusts
When should you consider a bloodline trust?
Establishing a bloodline trust is a firm way to ensure that your assets remain in the hands of your family. A bloodline trust dictates where your assets remain, namely in the hands of your children and their descendants. There are major life changes that may prompt...
What is a credit shelter trust?
Credit shelter trusts are a way for assets to transfer to heirs without paying an exorbitant estate tax. Sometimes, credit shelter trusts altogether avoid tax payments. These types of trusts are also known as Bypass Trusts or AB Trusts. If you are curious about credit...
Consider the difference between first and third party trusts
One of the more detail-sensitive aspects of estate planning involves spend-down strategies. These strategies aim to reduce your countable income for the purposes of qualifying for certain governmental benefits. Tools like trusts and spending on medical debt all fall...
Executor responsibilities include settling the deceased’s debts
After death, a Georgia resident's debts become part of his or her estate. As noted by Bankrate.com, the deceased's estate has liability for paying any taxes owed and the balances left on consumer debts such as credit cards, car loans and mortgages. An estate may also...
Ways to transfer an estate’s IP rights
When it comes to transferring wealth through estate planning, a few things may come to mind: houses, possessions and money. But in the case of creatives like authors, artists or inventors, intellectual property is another aspect of that wealth. It is important for...
Planning for long-term care with different types of trusts
Estate planning is something anyone can do at any age, but one topic that may be hard to face is long-term care. Planning for LTC involves the heavy subject of potential physical or mental disability that leaves someone incapable of managing their affairs. Trusts help...
When is a simple will enough?
A common theme among estate planning articles is that a simple will is not enough. Do not let these articles scare you as, for most people, a will is more than sufficient. According to Dave Ramsey, a simple will is a document that lets you outline what assets you want...
Should you proceed with securing a guardianship?
As your parent ages, you will have to make some difficult decisions about how to ensure he or she remains safe and healthy. There may be a point where you feel he or she is no longer able to take care of or make decisions for him or herself. If this happens, you may...
An estate plan takes care of many needs
When planning your future, you should think about your family and business and what happens if you are unable to make decisions. Careful estate planning can help assure that these needs are met. An estate plan can assure that there are trusted agents to oversee and...