Category Archives: Estate Planning

The Election’s Impact on Estate Planning

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Roger Billings

This election raises more issues of policy and personal character than can even be listed in one post. An issue which does not get much coverage in the media is the potential impact of the election on estate planning. Hillary … Continue reading →






Posted in Estate Planning, Federal Estate Taxes, Gifting | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Election’s Impact on Estate Planning

Courts Increasing Scrutiny of Conservatorships

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Roger Billings

There are good reasons for courts to impose conservatorships, particularly to protect individuals vulnerable to fraud. But the conservatorship order has a drastic effect. It takes away the right to manage a person’s own affairs. Some courts have been increasing the … Continue reading →






Posted in Conservatorships, Estate Planning, Incapacity Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Courts Increasing Scrutiny of Conservatorships

Keep Your Plan Up-to-date

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Roger Billings

Successful estate plans are those that accurately express your wishes. As wishes change, the plan needs to be updated. A new year is a good time to review your estate plan and make sure it is up-to-date. Time Magazine published a … Continue reading →






Posted in Estate Planning, Life Insurance | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Keep Your Plan Up-to-date

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Roger Billings

The new year is a time of pivoting, of looking two ways at once. We look back at the year 2015 that is gone. We remember and assess. At the same time we look forward to the year to come, … Continue reading →






Posted in Estate Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy New Year!

Preserve the Fruits of Your Labors – Estate Planning for Farmers

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Roger Billings

Farmers spend their lives investing their money, their time and the sweat of their brow into their fields and orchards. It is a cruel but all-too-common fate that in the end, when the owner passes on, the land must be … Continue reading →






Posted in Estate Planning, Federal Estate Taxes | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Preserve the Fruits of Your Labors – Estate Planning for Farmers

Best of Blog: Thanksgiving Post – How to Talk Finances with the Family

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Roger Billings

Following is a Thanksgiving post from November 2010 on communicating with family about finances during the holidays: Estate planning is a gift.  Ideally, executing a will or trust is unselfish.  The intent is to benefit the heirs, while the planner … Continue reading →






Posted in Best Of Blog, Estate Planning, Living Trusts | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Best of Blog: Thanksgiving Post – How to Talk Finances with the Family

Planning for Art Collectors

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Roger Billings

I could happily get lost in a museum. Vermeer and Van Gogh, Durer and David are favorite painters. Greek sculpture and Gothic architecture fascinate me. I love art. I can understand the desire to own a masterpiece. But valuable art creates unique estate … Continue reading →






Posted in Estate Planning, Federal Estate Taxes, Gifting | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Planning for Art Collectors