Charitable Giving and Estate Planning
Charitable giving comes in many forms. Some people donate annually to their favorite charities, while others may volunteer their time or professional services.
Ethan Huizenga
June 6, 2020
How to Avoid Beneficiary Designation Problems
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.
Ethan Huizenga
June 5, 2020
How Do Farmers Start an Estate Plan?
Planning for the end of your life can be intimidating. When you are a farmer, your business is not only your livelihood and your passion, but, often, it is also intermingled with your family life. For that reason, estate planning — arranging for the management of your assets once you die — is especially important for aging farmers.
Ethan Huizenga
June 4, 2020
8 Things a Power of Attorney Agent Should Do
Has a loved one named you their financial power of attorney? Are you ready to take on all the responsibilities that entails? Hopefully, you won’t be called into action anytime soon, but with the coronavirus pandemic continuing, it’s something to think about.
Ethan Huizenga
May 31, 2020
Update Your Estate Plan After Having A Child
If you have children or are expecting one, you may also want to take the three big estate planning steps that we did.
Ethan Huizenga
May 29, 2020
Do You Need a Testamentary Trust?
Utilization of a testamentary trust for the surviving spouse is an excellent idea, whether the survivor is the husband or wife.
Ethan Huizenga
May 28, 2020
Does Your Estate Plan Need a Will or a Trust?
One of the most fundamental choices you can make as you’re thinking about how to pass your assets on to heirs, is whether you hold assets in a revocable trust or more simply give them via a will. Both approaches have advantages, although trusts can provide significantly more benefits.
Ethan Huizenga
May 19, 2020
Guardian Proceedings & Legal Representation
It’s hard to imagine being stripped by a court of the right to make decisions about finances, medical care and other matters. It’s even harder to imagine that happening without representation or the advice from a lawyer.
Ethan Huizenga
May 15, 2020
Five Common Estate Planning Mistakes
When is the last time you updated your will? Could your beneficiaries have changed? If you have a trust, did you actually fund it? Is your plan ready for the new SECURE Act? Here are five mistakes you don’t want to make.
Ethan Huizenga
May 12, 2020
What Should I Know about Guardianships?
One of the key functions of the family law system is to ensure that children are looked after appropriately. This is the basis for the doctrine of legal guardianship.
Ethan Huizenga
May 11, 2020