The Shocking Truth About Asset Protection Planning

Some view asset protection planning with a skeptical eye.  They believe there is a moral obligation to pay one’s debts.  They think that asset protection planning is immoral because it prevents a creditor from collecting on a judgment entered by a court.

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How to Make Your Inheritance Last

A 2012 study by Ohio State researcher Jay Zagorsky found that about one-third of Americans who receive an inheritance have negative savings within two years of getting their money, and of those who receive $100,000 or more, nearly one in five spend, donate or simply lose it all.  If you are about to receive an […]

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3 Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate

When you pass away, your family may need to visit a probate court in order to claim their inheritance. This can happen if you own property (like a house, car, bank account, investment account, or other asset) in only your name. Although having a will is a good basic form of planning, a will does […]

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How to Write a Will

For many people writing a will can be a daunting task. People do not like to think about their own deaths, let alone decide what will happen to their belongings after they pass away. However, once things are broken down, writing a will does not have to be too difficult.

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Trusts and Title Insurance Problems

When you create a revocable living trust, it is important to transfer your assets into that trust, including any real estate that you own. However, if you are not mindful, transferring real property into a trust could result in the loss of your title insurance.

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529 Plan Misunderstandings

Providing for grandchildren’s college expenses is becoming an important estate planning goal for many families. Many people see it as one of the best ways to contribute to the overall health of future generations. 529 college savings plans are a very useful tool to accomplish this goal, but only if you know what they are […]

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3 Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them

Not long ago, pet trusts were thought of as little more than eccentric things that famous people did for their pets when they had too much money. These days, pet trusts are considered mainstream. For example: in May 2016, Minnesota became the 50th (and final) state to recognize pet trusts. But not every pet trust […]

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3 Celebrity Probate Disasters and Lessons to Learn from Them

With all the wealth accumulated by the rich and famous, one would assume that celebrities would take steps to protect their estates once they pass on. But think again: Some of the world’s richest and most famous people have passed away without a will or a trust, while others have made mistakes that tied their […]

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