Many people equate estate planning with a will. While a will is an important part of an estate plan, a complete estate plan often includes more than a simple will. Estate plans may include a will, a trust, a power of attorney and an advanced medical directive. There are multiple types of both testamentary trusts (which activate at the death of the testator and are drafted wholly in the will) and intervivos trusts (drafted and funded prior to the passing of the testator). These documents should be drafted to work together with the rest of your financial plan to form a comprehensive estate plan.
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If you have been named the executor of a will, you have likely been overwhelmed by the various requirements, notices and tax claims. Filling out state and federal schedules and meeting or trying to meet strict deadlines can be difficult. The assistance of a professional who understands estate administration is not only helpful, it is essential. We have many years experience in handling estates, both great and small. Whether your estate is federally taxable and requires additional post mortem planning, or is a simple, one-asset estate, we can help. Read more...
More than two million Americans could benefit from mortgage relief from the nation?s biggest banks, as part of a broad government settlement to be announced as early as Thursday.
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain will ?intensify their cooperation? to identify U.S. tax cheats in return for help in finding U.S. accounts held by residents of those countries.
