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Trusts Spouses Wills

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Mamma Mia!: Common Estate Planning Issues for Blended Families

Welcome to The Verdict: Estate Planning Through Film. I'm Hons Yung, and today I’m joined by Farella Senior Associate Taylor Porter to discuss the movie Mamma Mia! With ABBA's blend of pop, rock, and disco setting the tone,...more

Lewitt Hackman

Second Marriage Prenup: Protecting Your Assets and Loved Ones

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While second marriages represent a fresh start and an exciting journey, consider the potential financial and legal outcomes before you re-tie the knot. A prenuptial agreement (prenup), a contract that outlines both spouses’...more

The Estate Lawyers

Lesson for Couples: Act now while you are well to avoid financial calamity in the event of cognitive decline.

The Estate Lawyers on

It was a heartfelt move by a high-profile person. Renowned comedian and former talk-show host Jay Leno took significant steps to ensure the well-being of his wife, Mavis, who has dementia, should he die before her. Unable to...more

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP

What Gene Hackman’s Estate Reveals About Proper Estate Planning

The recent death of legendary actor, Gene Hackman, age 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, age 65, has brought attention to the complexities surrounding their estate and illustrates the need for proper estate planning. At his...more

Stark & Stark

The Omitted Spouse Claim Against an Estate

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Despite an intention to add a spouse or domestic partner to their Will, at times a decedent may neglect to do so prior to his/her death. Under such circumstances, however, a surviving spouse or domestic partner may be...more

Jaburg Wilk

Five Important Considerations When Creating Estate Plans for a Blended Family

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Blending families often introduce unique dynamics. In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan....more

Foster Swift Collins & Smith

Protecting Same-Sex Marriage Assets in Michigan If Obergefell is Ever Overturned

When the Supreme Court made its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex couples across the country gained the right to marry. But with recent shifts in the legal landscape, such as the overturning of Roe...more

Bowditch & Dewey

10 Reasons Why You Should Make Estate Planning Your New Year’s Resolution

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People often assume that if their estate isn’t taxable, they don’t need to have an estate plan. In 2024, a Massachusetts estate tax return must be filed if the value of the deceased person’s gross estate exceeds $2 million. A...more

The Estate Lawyers

Divorce Need Not Ignite Estate Litigation, But Too Often It Does

The Estate Lawyers on

Certain life events demand that estate planners work with client testators to adjust their estate plans. Divorce and remarriage are at the top of that list. When matrimony devolves into acrimony – setting the stage for...more

Bowditch & Dewey

Remember to Adjust Your Estate Plan During or After a Divorce

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Married couples often have wills naming one another as their primary beneficiary. People also often name their spouse as beneficiary of retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Upon commencing a divorce action,...more

Ward and Smith, P.A.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight? Estate Planning for Couples

Ward and Smith, P.A. on

Let's be honest.  Legal documents are not written in anyone's love language.  On Valentines Day, we undoubtedly would prefer to exchange thoughtful presents, enjoy an intimate meal with our significant other, or blush at the...more

Winstead PC

Court Reverses Summary Judgments On The Alleged Exercise Of A Power Of Appointment, Disclaimer, And The Statute Of Limitations

Winstead PC on

In In re Estate of Wells, No. 12-23-00066-CV, 2023 Tex. App. LEXIS 8475 (Tex. App.—Tyler November 8, 2023, no pet. history). The testator left a will that created a trust for his wife and descendants, named his wife as the...more

Kerr Russell

Recently Married? Consider These Steps To Protect Your Future

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In Michigan, the process for an individual to take their spouse’s last name is fairly simple, but does require taking action with both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Michigan Secretary of State. The first...more

Bowditch & Dewey

Beyond Taxes: 10 Important Reasons Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

Bowditch & Dewey on

People often assume that if their estate isn’t taxable, they don’t need to have an estate plan. In 2023, a Massachusetts estate tax return must be filed if the value of the deceased person’s gross estate exceeds $1 million. A...more

Downey Brand LLP

Should “Dutiful Children” and “Dutiful Spouses” Be Exempt from the Undue Influence Presumption?

Downey Brand LLP on

California trust and estate disputes often feature claims by one sibling that another gained a larger share by unduly influencing a parent. When there are factors suggesting undue influence, who should bear the burden of...more

Winstead PC

Court Holds That Trust Owned Mineral Interests And Not The Settlor’s Wife

Winstead PC on

In Moore v. Estate of Moore, a decedent’s wife claimed that she had an interest in an oil and gas lease formerly owned by her deceased husband. No. 07-20-00019-CV, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 6142 (Tex. App.—Amarillo July 30, 2021,...more

Woods Rogers

Estate Planning for Married Couples and Parents

Woods Rogers on

In this two-part series, the articles focus on the importance of proper estate planning.  The previous article focused on Estate Planning for Young Adults. This article will highlight important documents and considerations...more

Ruder Ware

Getting Started: Estate Planning for Young Families

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For many people, the first time they start thinking about an estate plan is when they start to have family members that depend on them financially – typically, a spouse or a child. Let’s take, for example, a young married...more

Ruder Ware

Who Gets Your Property if You Die Without a Will?

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Some clients decide to hire an attorney to prepare their estate planning documents because they do not like the default laws in Wisconsin about who gets their property if they die without a will. In Wisconsin, if you die...more

Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC

Three Small Words Could Cause a Big Tax Problem for Your Spouse

If your will has a trust arrangement in place for your spouse, -and it probably does, the trust must be a sole use trust for Pennsylvania purposes in order to qualify the trust assets to be taxed at 0%. If the trust under...more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Lessons to be Learned From the Power of Attorney

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

Powers of attorney and trust instruments have each been the subject of many an estate plan. They each have also been the subject of multiple estate litigations. In combination, the two have served as fodder for controversies...more

Butler Snow LLP

Planning for the $5-$10 Million Couple: Portability or Credit Shelter?

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In 2009, each individual had a $3.5 million estate tax exemption. If a married individual had assets over $3.5 million, without careful planning, those assets in excess of $3.5 million would fall subject to a 45% estate tax....more

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