News & Articles

Trust Solutions for Blended Families in Ann Arbor

Numerous studies show a senior widower is much less likely to stay single than his female counterpart… [and that] often leaves the question of how the father can protect the children’s inheritance if there is a second wife in the picture. In that… Read More
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The Mysteries of Medicaid: One Myth Exposed

   If you have older family members or are a member of the aging population yourself, you are probably aware of a very poorly kept secret: people in America are living longer than ever before.  This is creating new areas of concern for… Read More
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Ann Arbor Annual Gift Exclusion Gets a Friendly Bump

Individuals can generally receive up to $13,000 a year as a gift without getting hit by a federal gift tax. In 2013, as a result of cumulative indexing, this amount is projected to increase to $14,000 per person. Sometimes it’s the little things, a… Read More
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To Give or Not To Give (In 2012)

Hurry up and wait – that's what some financial advisers are telling their clients as an uncertain tax environment makes it tough to plan charitable giving in 2012. With 2013 almost upon us and only two short months of 2012 to go, now is th… Read More
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Choosing Michigan Or Another State As Your State of (Estate Planning) Residence

Six months south and six months north could be a great lifestyle in retirement but one place will need to be your legal domicile, your legal residence. And it’s the laws of that state which will dictate your estate planning. You will need to decide… Read More
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Time Is Running Out in Ann Arbor on Tax Planning Options

Much of what is being written on the prospect of the expiration of the Bush-Era tax cuts focuses on its income tax implications. Yet, I believe that there is a greater likelihood that the estate and gift taxation aspects of this looming expiration ar… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Taxes

Digital Assets, Digital Estate Planning - An Important Issue in Ann Arbor

If you inadvertently lock out your executor or the very person who has power of attorney over your finances, you can create a huge hassle for your family just trying to pay your bills.  Since we now live in a paperless world, they need something… Read More
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The Inheritance Blues – Whitney Houston Estate

The chief risk is always that the money will impact a kids’ motivation and self-reliance. “Ideally one would set aside enough funds to allow our family members to do anything they could do, but not so much that they could do nothing.” You give… Read More
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Medicare Coverage Skilled Nursing Qualifications May Be Eased in Ann Arbor

Tens of thousands of people with chronic conditions and disabilities may find it easier to qualify for Medicare coverage of potentially costly home health care, skilled nursing home stays and outpatient therapy under policy changes planned by the Oba… Read More
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Categories: Elder Law, Medicaid

Learn More About Estate Planning in Ann Arbor

National Estate Planning Awareness Week (Oct. 15-21).  What’s that? As Forbes Senior Editor Deborah L.  Jacobs put it in a recent post: “It’s a bit of a contrivance by lawyers in the field to get you to seek out their services. But it… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning