Tag Archives: Estate Planning

When to Update

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Roger Billings

What is the point of doing an estate plan if I am just going to update it later? My answer to this frequent questions is that if you know for certain that you are for going to live another … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Living Trusts | Tagged Enjoying life, Estate Planning, Uncertainty, Updates | Comments Off

Watch Out for Undue Influence

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Roger Billings

The short video by Stewart Albertson at the link below discusses how undue influence can be used to overturn a will or trust. I suggest that it be used as a warning of the importance of avoiding undue influence while parents are … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning | Tagged Dispute Avoidance, Estate Planning, Undue Influence | Comments Off

Who Needs An Advance Health Care Directive? — Estate Planning Basics

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Roger Billings

As people live longer, the chances of experiencing incapacity increase, and the advance health care directive becomes ever more crucial in avoiding disputes and providing a peaceful transition for end-of-life situations. It is often asked, why do I need an … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Basics, Incapacity Planning, Long Term Care | Tagged Advance Health Care Directive, Communication, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Basics, Incapacity Planning, Terri Schiavo | Comments Off

Dick Clark Left a Fortune

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Roger Billings

Sound business decisions made it possible for Dick Clark to amass a huge fortune. Did he also leave a sound estate plan? Will there also be a huge estate tax bill? We’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, here is some more info … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrity Probates, Estate Planning, Wills | Tagged Celebrity Probates, Estate Planning, Wealth Management, Wills | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Estate Planning | Tagged Avoiding Regret, Decisions, Estate Planning | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Estate Planning, Trust Funding | Tagged Communication, Estate Planning, Holidays | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Congress, Estate Planning, Federal Estate Taxes | Tagged Congress, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Uncertainty | Comments Off