Intestate Succession
When a person dies without a will, intestate, their estate will be distributed according to the controlling state's laws of intestacy. Per Stirpes. According to this manner of distribution, the [...]
Social Security Benefits
You can retire between 62 and your full retirement age (FRA). Your FRA depends on the year you were born, and varies from 62 to 67. Doug Lemons, a Social [...]
See Through Trusts
The advantages of using a trust as a designated beneficiary of an IRA (or creating a See Through Trust) are that they allow spendthrift, divorce, asset and bankruptcy protection. The [...]
Advantages of Trusts over Wills
Trusts are used for many purposes, including dividing ownership of property. Trustees are the legal owner and may control the property. The beneficiary holds the right to enjoy the property. Trusts have [...]
1031 Exchanges and Capital Gains
11031 Exchanges and Capital Gains. If you sell real property you can avoid a 25% capital gain tax by doing a 1031 Exchange. You will have a maximum of 45 [...]
Dogfight, See Through Trusts
Video 1Dogfight Over $12 Million Bequest. Real Estate mogul, Leona Helmsley, passed away in 2007. Helmsley left $12 million of her estate to her Maltese dog, Trouble. The grandchildren left out [...]
Oral Promises and Wills
Pursuant to California Probate Code Section 21700 - Contract to Make a Will - a person is allowed to establish an agreement between the decedent and the child, friend, or [...]
Special Needs Trusts (SNT): Planning for Beneficiaries with Disabilities
Special needs trusts (SNT) are administered for the benefit of persons with disabilities or other impairments. If drafted properly, a SNT does not jeopardize a beneficiary's eligibility for means-tested government [...]