An estate planning vehicle that has attracted much attention is the use of an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT). A grantor trust is a trust that the grantor, or in some instances, a beneficiary, is regarded as the owner for income tax purposes. This means that the owner will be subject to all income tax […]

Creating a will ensures that all your wishes are carried out after your death. A will is the most common way for you to distribute your assets, like your home, to an heir. However, there are a number of other vehicles through which you can leave a home to an heir. Such methods can be […]

There are some estate planning issues that single parents are advised to consider when planning for the financial future of their children. Among them is the selection of a guardian who will raise their children in the event the parent dies or becomes incapacitated. The parent should think carefully about the choice of a guardian […]

A sense of uncertainty has emerged under the new administration surrounding estate planning for the year 2017. President Trump has expressed his intent to implement significant changes to U.S. tax policy. However, the degree to which those changes will occur remains ambiguous. Nevertheless, there are strategies that individuals, families and small businesses can use when […]

During your retirement, you may wish to spend half of the year in one state, and the other half of the year in another state. However, you must choose one state as your legal residence. This is typically the state in which you have the right to vote. It is the laws of that state […]

The process of estate planning consists of a review and analysis of your retirement accounts, including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs or merely your employer’s 401(k) retirement account. It is imperative that you consider all available options because the account you choose can make a difference in subsequent years. For example, it is important to determine […]

The greatest tax advantage of Section 529 college savings accounts is that it is permitted for them to increase earnings without being subject to federal tax, and generally not to state income tax either. When the account beneficiary reaches college age, tax-free withdrawals can be made to finance the beneficiary’s qualified college expenses. Although 529 […]

Whenever you experience significant life-changing events, it is recommended that you revisit your estate planning documents to make certain that they are in compliance with your wishes. In Virginia, a final divorce decree affects specific aspects of estate planning, but a separation has no such impact. Unless expressly stipulated otherwise, upon the entry of a […]

Siblings are often contentious regarding the inheritance of their parents’ assets. However, such acrimony can be avoided by implementing certain steps that will prevent any type of forced sharing among your children. In order to prevent financial disputes among your adult children, refrain from using a pot trust, which is the term used by many […]

If you have a child or grandchild with special needs, you may wish to create a special needs trust to ensure that the child receives the necessary care and financial assistance through adulthood. The trust sets aside funds for the benefit of the child, and is managed by the trustees, who are usually family members […]