The estate tax gets all the press, but if you are leaving property to a grandchild, there is an additional tax you should know about. The generation-skipping transfer tax affects property passed to a grandchild in a will or trust.
With the federal estate tax exemption possibly about to be lowered, it may be time to think about steps you can take to keep your estate from being taxed. An irrevocable life insurance trust could be the answer.
If you are worried that disappointed heirs could contest your will or trust after you die, one option is to include a "no-contest clause" in your estate planning documents.
Parents and other family members who want to pass on assets during their lifetimes may be tempted to gift the assets. Although setting up an irrevocable trust is not as simple as giving a gift, it may be a better way to preserve assets for the future.
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation that would require more estates to pay estate tax and that raises the amounts they would pay. Another proposed law would eliminate the step-up in basis that inherited assets currently enjoy.
Inheriting a vacation home with your siblings can be a great thing or it can cause huge problems within the family. Planning ahead can help prevent sibling disagreements.
For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available -- even more useful than a will.
As life circumstances change (births, marriages, divorces, and deaths), it may become necessary to make changes to your will.
If you want to make a gift to family members but have exceeded the annual gifting limit, there is another way. Payments for a family member’s education or health care expenses are exempt from the gift tax.
All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up-to-date with the law and meet your current goals. Here is a checklist of trust features you can review yourself.