by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 19, 2012 | Uncategorized
Three recent federal court rulings have struck down the major provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the issue of same-sex marriage appears to be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.In the first ruling Massachusetts v. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 19, 2012 | Uncategorized
It is natural for parents to want to treat their children equally when it comes to inheritances. However, equal treatment is not always the best course of action when it comes to gifts and estate planning. Here are some situations that call for unequal...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Americans currently have invested more than $5 trillion in IRA accounts, and much of these assets will eventually pass to heirs. To ensure that as much of these assets pass according to your wishes, be sure you are not making any of these costly IRA mistakes:1....
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
While the overall divorce rate in the U.S. has declined over the past 20 years, it has doubled for Americans over the age of 50. Financial experts warn that the stakes are higher for those divorcing later in life, since their prime earning years are behind them and...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently that individual state intestacy laws determine the inheritance rights of posthumously conceived children.In the Florida case of Astrue v. Capato, Karen Capato conceived twins using stored semen following her husband Robert’s...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Most people who do a good job of saving for retirement in tax-deferred retirement accounts usually wind up leaving a good portion of these assets to heirs. And while you may wish that your heirs would protect these assets as long as possible, the fact is that a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
If you’re like most Americans, you have a rich digital life. You may bank online, invest online and certainly interact socially online. But where do those assets go after you do?Unfortunately, identity theft is rising even for the deceased. TIME magazine...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
There are many reasons to have a will, including the ability to name the guardians for minor children and provide for them financially, distribute assets to preferred beneficiaries who may not have otherwise been eligible to receive property, and designating an...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
Transferring property to another upon the death of a property owner can be accomplished outside the California probate process by utilizing the following will substitute techniques:Right of Survivorship: California recognizes three types of property ownership with...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Apr 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
There are potential consequences that extend beyond hurt feelings when parents leave one child more than others in a will. One of the main consequences is potentially leaving an estate plan vulnerable to legal challenge.Of course, there can be a number of very good...
