Your Estate Planning Attorney Is Ripping You Off - By Doing His Job!

How your estate planning attorney is accidentally ripping you off! How to save a lot of money on attorney consultations fees.

Debunking Estate Planning Misconceptions

Estate planning conjures up a lot of emotions. And not all of those emotions are positive - after all, planning for your own demise is tough! However, consider this: Planning your estate will not shorten or lengthen your life by a single moment. So why not think about it and do it?

Anna Nicole Smith Dies Without a Will - What's a Will? What's a Trust?

Anna Nicole Smith dies without a will. Without a will and a trust Anna Nicole Smith leaves behind many unsettled legal issues including paternal rights to her baby daughter, unsettled case against her late Husband's estate Howard Marshall II. What's a Will? Why is a Will not enough? What are Trusts? What happens at the death of someone with only a Will?

ATO Gunning For SMSF Non-Compliance

We all know the only certainties in life are death and taxes... however, it seems that some SMSF trustees have forgotten this golden rule, when they got a tap on the shoulder from the ATO. It seems that they have let the SMSF become uncompliant since the changes in law of 1 July 2005, and the ATO has been getting gradually stricter on their policing of this matter. Christopher Balmford from Cleardocs Australia gives us an overview of the situation, along with a friendly warning to all fund holders to keep on top of things, or else...

Living Revocable Trust

What are the differences of a revocable trust (living trust or revocable living trust) and irrevocable trusts? Explains what's a trust, grantor, beneficiary, fiduciary responsibility of a trustee, accountability of the trustee and additional safeguards of assets.

Choosing the Right Trustee

The success of a trust to accomplish estate planning goals depends on how well the trust is managed. That success depends on the abilities of the person (or institution) named as the trustee. You'll want to choose this trustee very carefully, as he or she must weat many hats.

A Wealth Preservation Trust for Asset Protection

Lawsuit Protection, Tax-Efficiency and Estate Planning can go hand-in-hand with a properly-drafted Wealth Preservation Trust. Used alone, it can save taxes and provide for estate planning. Used together with inter-active integrated planning, it can do far more.

When Parent and Child Reverse Roles

When we start off in life, our parents provide love and nurturing, as well as the necessities of daily life. As time passes, we grow into adulthood. Our relationship with our parents becomes one of equals, with each providing love and nurturing for the other, while both are self-sufficient. Often, parents reach a stage in their lives when they are no longer self-sufficient, typically due to advanced age or illness.

Estate Planning Decisions: Choosing Trusts - Wills and Lawyers

It is essential to be an informed consumer when buying estate planning services. In doing so, you will be in the best position to make essential decisions in protecting your wealth and family.

Estate Planning: Make Sure Your Wishes are Honored

A medical power of attorney and living will are crucial estate planning steps, and like long term care insurance, must be set in place early in life for optimal protection.

Choosing Guardians for Children

The most important decision you'll make in your estate plan is appointing guardians for your minor children. Who you pick will impact not only your children but also the lives of your guardians. While you and your children may feel an affinity for a particular adult(s), that relationship could be strained in a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week environment. Where should you begin in picking a guardian?

Revocable Living Trusts to Protect Your Family

Regardless of the resource(s) you choose to set up your plan, a revocable living trust can protect your assets and achieve your objectives by making sure that every step is carried out in full. Making these arrangements could be the most important decision you make regarding management of your estate to ensure you and your family's well-being when you're no longer able to direct that financial course.

Enduring Power of Attorney Being Phased Out

From the first Monday in April next year, the Enduring Power of Attorney will be banished forever. Its replacement will be more complex to get and is likely to cost more.

Protecting Your Child: Setting Up a Special Needs Trust

Setting up a Special Needs Trust for children with disabilities.

How Can An Estate Plan Help Me?

Do you know how your life will be divided after your death? Who will your estate go to? Who will look after your children? With an estate plan you decide. You are in control of your family’s security in the event that something tragic should happen.