Author Archives: Roger Billings

Crucial Beneficiary Designations

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Beneficiary designations are an increasingly important element of estate planning. They can help to avoid probate, but they can also stir up disputes if not part of a coordinated estate plan. It is not enough to specify heirs in … Continue reading →






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Dead Celebrities Can’t Take It With Them But Still Making Plenty

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Roger Billings

  More evidence that estate executors can be effective business managers. Forbes provides a list of the 15 highest earning dead celebrities. Here’s an excerpt from the report. It’s been two years since Michael Jackson passed away at the age … Continue reading →






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Why Do Parents Fail To Choose Guardians?

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Why is choosing a guardian for minor children one of the more neglected responsibilities of parents?   Jacoba Urist for the Huffington Post looks for answers: So, for the past year, I’ve been interviewing families, trying to figure out … Continue reading →






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Steve Jobs Died Without Owing Estate Tax: A New Urban Legend?

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Roger Billings

  After the death of Steve Jobs last week, opinions started circulating that he was so smart that he even knew how to avoid paying estate taxes better than anyone else. Jobs was smart and he seems to have done … Continue reading →






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Can I Avoid Probate of My House by Holding It in Joint Tenancy?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Joint tenancy might be a convenient estate planning shortcut, but it also brings some undesirable risks. Joint tenancy is a form of ownership of property where two or more people hold title to the property with right of survivorship, … Continue reading →






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Business Succession Lesson from the Oakland Raiders

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Roger Billings

  The death of renegade owner Al Davis leaves the Raider Nation looking for future direction. A big question is how to pay estate taxes. Family owned businesses can learn from the Raiders’ challenges, even though most are not large … Continue reading →






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What Is So Bad About Probate and Why Should It Be Avoided? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Again it is time to get back to basics. Avoiding probate is a primary reason to set up a living trust instead of a will . There are several reasons to avoid probate, and in California particularly the reasons … Continue reading →






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