Downs Law Firm, P.C.
Many people are taking this time at home during the COVID-19 crisis to update their estate plan. Here are six critical estate plan components you should focus on in light of the current pandemic.
Most consumers are familiar with the beneficiary designation form they complete when opening an IRA or 401(k). The form designates who receives the asset if the account owner dies. However, these forms can create confusion, unintended bequests, and family turmoil if not adequately monitored.
The COVID-19 crisis isn’t just costing Americans their freedom and jobs; it’s also forcing millions to contemplate their own mortality.
Aretha Franklin’s niece, Sabrina Owens, has resigned as executor of the late soul singer’s estate amid mounting family tensions, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Sometimes, despite best intentions and best efforts, an estate plan leaves unintended problems for heirs, trustees, and others to solve. For example, a trust may have become outdated because of changes in tax laws, the birth or death of family members, or special circumstances, like an heir’s disability.
Receiving an inheritance can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s overwhelming, thanks to the intense emotions associated with losing a loved one combined with the confusion about what to do with the newly acquired assets. On the other, an inheritance can re-invigorate your finances and create new opportunities for you and your family.
Contesting a will simply means that you formally object to the terms and validity of the will.
An issue that frequently arises is the treatment of an inheritance received by a spouse during the marriage. The basic rule is that any property received via gift or inheritance during the marriage is exempt from equitable distribution.
There’s a lot of prep work to complete when you’re expecting a new baby. Expectant parents have a nursery to paint, strollers to buy, doctor’s appointments to attend, and nannies to hire.
Generally, when settling an estate, debts and expenses are paid first, charitable and spousal transfers follow, and applicable estate taxes are levied afterward.
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