Category Archives: Estate Planning

How to Fund a Living Trust, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Roger Billings

Funding a living trust refers to transferring assets into the trust. If a trust is a box then funding the trust means putting assets into the box.  For assets that are titled, such as real estate, accounts, stocks and bonds, … Continue reading →






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Unfunded Trusts: Pitfalls for the Unwary

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Roger Billings

Funding the Trust is an essential but often overlooked step towards avoiding a lengthy and expensive probate.  Creating a trust instrument, with all of the appropriate instructions, provisos and expressions of intent, is worse than useless if no step is … Continue reading →






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Resolution: Keeping the Estate Plan Updated

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Roger Billings

“You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one. I don’t believe in little plans. I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can’t possibly foresee now.” Harry S. Truman … Continue reading →






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The 2012 Tax Debate

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Roger Billings

photo credit: ` TheDreamSky 꿈꾸는 하늘 “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art.”  John Keats Another two year patch.  By a lame duck Congress.  That is what  Obama’s tax deal is.  The proposal which has now passed the … Continue reading →






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Do the Wealthy Have a Patriotic Duty to Pay More Taxes?

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Roger Billings

Democrats are feeling betrayed by President Obama, while Republicans are gloating over the tax deal they struck with the President to extend the Bush era tax cuts for two years.  The deal also includes setting the estate tax exemption at … Continue reading →






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Suggestions on Giving Responsibly in Tough Times

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Roger Billings

The holidays are traditionally a season of charitable giving, and, despite the economic tough times, that does not appear to have changed.  The Red Cross published a survey showing that 57% of Americans still plan to give between this Thanksgiving … Continue reading →






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Family Finances and Thanksgiving Dinner Don’t Mix, But There May Be Some Other Time This Weekend to Bring Up These Important Topics

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Roger Billings

Estate planning is a gift.  Ideally, executing a will or trust is unselfish.  The intent is to benefit the heirs, while the planner gains peace of mind, but usually no financial benefit from the process.  Many parents consider a well-drafted … Continue reading →






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