by John C. Martin | Aug 30, 2012 | Family Values and History
According to a recent study, family values, traditions and history still mean more than money as an inheritance. These results are from the 2012 Allianz Life American Legacies Pulse Study* which surveyed baby boomers (age 47 to 66) and “elders” (age 72 and...
by John C. Martin | Aug 27, 2012 | Estate Plan Maintenance
From time to time, it’s good to review why having a complete, up-to-date estate plan is so important. In addition to confirming our own actions, it can provide us with valuable information to pass along to friends and family who, for whatever reasons, have yet to act....
by John C. Martin | Aug 24, 2012 | Estate Planning for Families
Other Areas to Consider There are many other changing circumstances that should be anticipated with flexible estate plan design. These include qualifying for California Medi-Cal benefits through authorizing the gifting down of incapacitated individual’s estate;...
by John C. Martin | Aug 21, 2012 | Estate Planning for Families
Estate tax laws will change significantly over the next few years. As of this writing, the estate tax exemption amount (the amount that can be transferred at death without tax) will be $1 Million in 2013 and later years. At any time, Congress could change this...
by John C. Martin | Aug 17, 2012 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families
What happens when a trust is set up during the lifetime of a surviving spouse, and that spouse later remarries? Spousal trusts are often established in order to minimize estate tax or to provide a stream of income to the spouse during lifetime. Upon death of the...