Trusts Are Good for Maintaining Privacy

Steve Jobs apparently used trusts to shield his post-mortem financial affairs from the public. I have always viewed privacy as an ancillary benefit of trust planning (behind estate tax reduction, delaying distributions to children, and avoiding the probate process), but in the case of Steve Jobs, who reveled in secrecy, the privacy provided by trusts is paramount.

Estate Planning for Women

A simple slideshow that addresses estate planning issues faced by women.

Personal Property Disputes

Another article that reflects that estate disputes are most often about personal property, not money. I recommend that clients prepare a memorandum to distribute specific items that are of sentimental value. Also, giving an item away during life is a good strategy.

National Estate Planning Awareness Week?

Yes, there really is such a week. Anyone who is over 18 - whether single, married, young, old, wealthy, healthy, sick or poor - should implement estate planning documents that meet their needs and goals. This is also a good time to review current plans to make sure that it meets your current goals.

Tips for Same Sex Couples

A quick overview of estate planning issues faced by same sex couples.

Estate Planning Basics

Money magazine provided a nice overview of estate planning last year.

Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Steve Jobs' 2005 commencement address at Stanford has some great ruminations on life and death.

Unrelated to anything else on this blog, but worth sharing because they are from the most innovative man of our lifetimes, a list of the best Steve Jobs quotes is here.

Overview of Charitable Gifts

With changing estate tax laws and proposed caps on charitable deductions, charitable gift planning has become complicated. A brief review of the issues is here.