Estate planning — Newsletter/Blog

Should a married couple use a joint trust or separate trusts?

For a married couple, are two revocable trusts better than a joint revocable trust?

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 21, 2024

Ensure you’re properly documenting your charitable donations

As the holidays approach, understand the IRS’s rules for properly substantiating your charitable gifts.

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 14, 2024

Understand your spouse’s inheritance rights before getting remarried

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 7, 2024

Year end is gift-giving time: Use the annual gift tax exclusion to the max

Reduce your taxable estate by making annual gift tax exclusion gifts.

Estate planningDebbie HarryDecember 7, 2023

Consider providing your beneficiaries with the power to remove a trustee

Removing a trustee can be difficult. However, there are ways to make it easier without giving too much power to the beneficiaries.

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 14, 2023

Two estate planning documents working in tandem: A living trust and a pour-over will

When planning your estate, pairing a pour-over will with a living trust can act as a backstop for certain wayward assets.

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 2, 2023

Owning assets jointly with a child may not be the right estate planning strategy

Do you own assets jointly with your child or other heir? Learn the pitfalls associated with this estate planning strategy.

Estate planningDebbie HarryNovember 2, 2023

Are you considering moving to a new state to minimize estate tax?

Moving to another state could reduce or eliminate state-level estate tax, but certain steps must be taken.

Estate planningDebbie HarryOctober 6, 2023

Reasons why naming a family member your executor might not be a good idea

Your choice of a family member to be your estate’s executor may not be the best option.

Estate planningDebbie HarrySeptember 28, 2023

An art collection is a special asset to account for in an estate plan

You have a few choices to accommodate your art collection in your estate plan. Learn about three options here.

Estate planningDebbie HarrySeptember 25, 2023

QTIP trust: Strange name, powerful trust

Do you want to provide for your spouse after your death but ensure that your children ultimately receive the inheritance you desire? A qualified terminable interest property trust may be the answer.

Estate planningDebbie HarrySeptember 7, 2023

Did your spouse’s estate make a portability election? If not, there may still be time

Estate tax exemption “portability” can save married couples substantial estate taxes, but only if the necessary election is made.

Estate planningDebbie HarrySeptember 5, 2023

Life insurance can be a powerful estate planning tool for nontaxable estates

If federal estate tax isn’t an issue for your family, you may want to hold on to your life insurance policy for its estate planning opportunities.

Estate planningDebbie HarryAugust 24, 2023

Avoiding probate: How to do it (and why)

Because of probate’s public nature, avoiding the process to the extent possible is a goal of many estate plans. Here are some strategies.

Estate planningDebbie HarryAugust 18, 2023

To avoid confusion after your death, have only an original, signed will

To avoid confusion, pain and possible court proceedings among your surviving family members after your death, maintain only one, original will.

Estate planningDebbie HarryAugust 14, 2023

Yes, you still need an estate plan even if you’re single, without children

Learn the reasons why you should have an estate plan even if you’re not married and have no children.

Estate planningDebbie HarryAugust 8, 2023

How to address your frequent flyer miles in your estate plan

Some assets are easier to address in your estate plan than others. Transferring a significant amount of frequent flyer miles can be tricky (or maybe not even possible).

Estate planningDebbie HarryJuly 14, 2023

Put restrictions on your large charitable gifts for added peace of mind

Help keep charitable organizations honest by putting restrictions on your gifts.

Estate planningDebbie HarryJuly 3, 2023

Prepare for an uncertain federal gift and estate tax exemption amount with a SLAT

With careful planning, a spousal lifetime access trust may offer the best of both worlds: the ability to make the most of the current federal gift and estate tax exemption while retaining some access to your wealth.

Estate planningDebbie HarryJune 15, 2023

What should you consider when choosing a guardian?

Choosing your child’s guardian can be difficult. These steps can help.

Estate planningDebbie HarryJune 7, 2023

How may we help you?

Whether you’re an individual or a business, Jones and Kolb can help you deal with the challenges you face now and put you in the best position for a great future.