Category Archives: Estate Planning

Define Yourself and Your Legacy by Your Decisions

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Avoiding tough decisions can be hazardous to your future.  Studies show that we regret the failure to act more than any other kind of mistake.   That means failing to make an estate plan should be even more embarrassing than … Continue reading →






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Should Children Urge Parents to Do Their Estate Plan This Holiday?

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Roger Billings

            This is an updated version of last year’s pre-holiday post. If parents do not have an estate plan should their children ask them to get it done? Many parents never find time to set things … Continue reading →






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Is Congress Driving You Crazy?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Roger Billings

  When I was in law school, I interviewed for a job with a Washington DC tax attorney. Congress had just overhauled the tax code, and I asked how the changes had affected his practice. What started as a job … Continue reading →






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The Demise of Asset Protection Trusts: An Update

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Last month, a Bankruptcy Court in Alaska entered a ruling against one Tom Mortensen that seemingly eviscerates asset protection trusts. The Trust Advisor Blog has provided a comprehensive update on the fallout from that ruling: Alaska is one of … Continue reading →






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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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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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