Trusts & Estates Blog
July 2017
Family Business Succession Planning
What are some of the most difficult situations our estate planning attorneys have witnessed? Planning the succession of governance and ownership of the family... Read more
July 2017
Portability of the Federal Estate Tax Exemption
In your everyday life, the term “portability” means the ability to be easily carried or moved. However, in your estate planning, the term carries... Read more
July 2017
The Essential Documents for an Estate Plan
If you are planning for the future, as the Estate Planning attorneys of FMJ hope you are, you need to have a core set... Read more
May 2017
The Post-Divorce Checklist
As we all know, some marriages end in divorce. This process can be made even more difficult if you fail to tie up loose... Read more
May 2017
What is Probate Property?
If you were to Google the question “what is probate” the standard definition would appear, which reads, “the official proving of a will.” However,... Read more
May 2017
Life Insurance Considerations for Estate Planning
During the estate planning process, we typically will analyze the impact of potential life insurance. Life insurance policies (if owned individually) are counted towards... Read more
May 2017
Let’s Get Charitable!
Tax day may have passed, but it’s important to already start thinking about your upcoming taxable year. For instance, are you required to take... Read more
April 2017
The Revocable Trust as an Estate Planning Tool
A revocable trust is typically viewed as an alternative to a traditional Last Will and Testament. A revocable trust is also referred to as... Read more
April 2017
The Interplay Between a Will and the Probate Process
Many people believe that if they have a Will, their estate will avoid probate – and this is not true. A Will does not... Read more
April 2017
So You Want Your Child to Have the Family Home…
Scenario: Adult child lives with parent. Maybe this is for financial reasons, or perhaps the child is acting as caretaker. The parent wants this... Read more
March 2017
Spring: Let’s Plant & Cultivate Our Legacy
I’ve never been accused of being a green thumb, but it seems to me that planning a flower garden involves certain steps that are... Read more
March 2017
Cabin Succession Planning for Your Family
Planning for the succession of your cherished family cabin is a crucial component of your overall estate planning. People often see it as a... Read more
March 2017
Grandma’s “Simple” Will
Grandma, bless her soul, was a generous lady. She wanted to name each grandchild in her will so that they would know how special... Read more
March 2017
Estate Planning Is Not Just for the Wealthy
One common misconception we frequently come across is that many people think that estate planning is only for wealthy people and families. This is... Read more
March 2017
Yours, Mine & Ours – Tips on Successful Estate Planning with Blended Families
If you’re remarried, you may face some interesting planning considerations when it comes to completing your estate plan. The planning for blended families can... Read more