Q&A: My Parents Shut Down When I Try to Talk About Estate Planning. How Can I Help Them Open Up?
October 1, 2024
QUESTION Q: My parents shut down when I try to talk about estate planning. How can I help them open up? –...
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There is no shortage of advice flying around about estate planning, much of it from people who aren't even lawyers. Get insight on the popular pitfalls and how emerging economic shifts like cryptocurrency can affect your plan.
Clarifying Questions
Q&A: My Parents Shut Down When I Try to Talk About Estate Planning. How Can I Help Them Open Up?
QUESTION Q: My parents shut down when I try to talk about estate planning. How can I help them open up? –...
Clarifying Questions
Q&A: Can you explain how the administration of a will works?
QUESTION Q: Can you explain how the administration of a will works? –Taking Care of Mom ANSWER A: Dear Ta...
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Q&A Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die?
QUESTION Q: Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die? –Pondering Parent ANSWER A: Dear Ponde...
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Q&A Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state?
QUESTION Q: Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state? –Curious Mover ANSWER A: Dear Curi...
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Q&A: How do I include cryptocurrency in my estate plan?
QUESTION Q: How do I include cryptocurrency in my estate plan? — Crypto Owner ANSWER A: Dear Crypto, If y...
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Q&A: What is the federal estate tax?
QUESTION Q: What is the federal estate tax? — Tax Planner ANSWER A: Dear Planner, The federal estate tax ...
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Q&A: What estate planning should my child have in place once they reach adulthood?
QUESTION Q: What estate planning should my child have in place once they reach adulthood? — Proactive Par...
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Q&A: What is a pour-over will?
QUESTION Q: What is a pour-over will? — Prudent Planner ANSWER A: Dear Prudent, For a living trust to fun...
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Q&A: Can I tap into my retirement savings to pay for my child’s college education?
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Q&A: What is the “contestability period'' on a life insurance policy?
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Q&A Should the person I pick as my trustee have a background in law or finance?
Q & A: QUESTION ______________________________________________________________________________ Q: Sho...
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Q&A What is the IRS’s “Rule of 55” for 401(k) plans?
Q & A: QUESTION Q: What is the IRS’s “Rule of 55” for 401(k) plans? -Ready to Retire ANSWER Dear Read...
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Q&A: What is “diminished financial capacity”?
Q & A: QUESTION Q: What is “diminished financial capacity,” and why is it so dangerous for seniors? —...
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Q&A How much can I write off on my 2021 income taxes for charitable donations?
Q & A: Q: How much can I write off on my 2021 income taxes for charitable donations if I don’t itemiz...
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Q&A How can I determine how much life insurance I should have?
Q & A: Q: How can I determine how much life insurance I should have? —Family Planner ANSWER A: Dear P...
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Q&A: How does buying or selling a business affect my estate plan?
Q: How does buying or selling a business affect my estate plan? --Business Buyer ANSWER Dear Buyer: If yo...
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Q&A: How does the proposed tax bill affect federal estate and gift tax?
Q: How does the Democrat’s newly proposed tax bill affect the federal estate and gift tax exclusion? -Con...
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Q&A: How does the administration of a will work?
Q: How does the administration of a will work? -Family Planner ANSWER Dear Planner: In order for assets i...
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Q&A: What is a pet trust, and how does it work?
Q: What is a pet trust, and how does it work? -Doggy Daddy ANSWER A: Dear Doggy, While it’s possible to n...
Clarifying Questions
Q&A: How should I include my cryptocurrency in my estate plan?
Q: How should I include my cryptocurrency in my estate plan? -Digital Planner ANSWER A: Dear Digital, Jus...
Clarifying Questions
Q&A: Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die?
Q: Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die? -Pondering Parent ANSWER A: Dear Pondering, Tho...
Clarifying Questions
Q&A: Should I leave money for my child with special needs in my will?
Q: Should I leave money for my child with special needs in my will? – Prudent Parent ANSWER A: Dear Prude...
Clarifying Questions
How can I avoid being placed under a professional guardian?
Q: How can I avoid being placed under the care of a professional guardian? —Senior Planner A: Dear Planne...
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What estate planning documents should my son, who just turned 18, have in place?
Q: What estate planning documents should my son, who just turned 18 and is planning to attend college in ...
Clarifying Questions
Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state?
Q: Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state? -Curious Mover A: Dear Curious: Most states...
Clarifying Questions
How can I obtain consent for my incapacitated mother to get a vaccination?
Q: How can I obtain consent for my incapacitated mother to get a COVID-19 vaccination? -Concerned Daughte...
Clarifying Questions
Can I serve as a trustee if I don’t have any legal experience?
Q: Can I serve as a trustee if I don’t have any legal experience? -Curious Cousin A: Dear Curious: Being ...
Clarifying Questions
What is the best way to bring up estate planning with my family over the holidays?
Q: What is the best way to bring up estate planning with my family over the holidays? -Festive Father A: ...
Clarifying Questions
If Democrats sweep the election, what’s likely to happen to the increased gift and estate tax exemption passed under Trump’s tax cuts?
Q: If Democrats sweep the election, what’s likely to happen to the increased gift and estate tax exemptio...
Clarifying Questions
How are decisions made for an incapacitated person without a living will?
Q: How are decisions made for an incapacitated person without a living will? --Concerned family member A:...
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What is the Best Way to Save for My Child's College Education?
Q: What is the Best Way to Save for My Child's College Education? --Concerned Parent A: Dear Concerned: O...
Clarifying Questions
What Property Can I Put In My Living Trust?
Q: What Property Can I Put In My Living Trust? - Planning For the Future A: Dear Planning: A living trust...
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Executor Responsibilities: How Long to Distribute Assets From a Will?
Q: How Long Does an Executor Have to Distribute Assets From a Will? - Watching and Waiting A: Dear Waitin...
Clarifying Questions
My dad recently passed and did not have a will, what should I do?
Q: My dad recently passed and did not have a will, what should I do? - Feeling Lost A: Dear Lost: First, ...
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What is the Difference Between Living Will and Medical POA?
Q: What’s the difference between a Living Will and a Medical POA? - Thinking Ahead A: Dear Thinking: A Li...
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I want my child to own my house when I die. Should I just transfer it now?
Q: I want my child to own my house when I die. Should I just transfer it now? - Pondering Parent A: Dear,...
Clarifying Questions
Could I face eviction due to an out of date Will?
Q: Could I face eviction due to an out of date Will? -Renting Beneficiary A: Dear, Renting: It’s critical...
Clarifying Questions
Under what circumstances can my will be contested?
Q: Under what circumstances can my will be contested? -Will Creator A: Dear Will: Anyone can contest a wi...
Clarifying Questions
How often should I update my estate plan?
Q: How often should I update my estate plan? -Prudent planner A: Dear Prudent: This question highlights a...
Clarifying Questions
Do I need additional life insurance if I have a policy through my employer?
Q: Do I need additional life insurance if I already have a policy through my employer? -Insurance Enquiry...
Clarifying Questions
Can I use estate planning to provide for my pet’s care after my death?
Q: Can I use estate planning to provide for my pet’s care after my death? -Dog Lover A: Dear Lover: Yes, ...
Clarifying Questions
What does an executor do?
Q: What does an executor do? -Will writer A: Dear Will: An executor is the person named in your will to a...
Clarifying Questions
What does “funding” a trust mean?
Q: What does “funding” a trust mean? -Curious planner A: Dear Curious: For a living trust to function pro...
Clarifying Questions
If I die with no estate plan at all, what happens to my property?
Q: If I die with no estate plan at all, what happens to my property? -No Plan Stan A: Dear Stan: If you d...
Clarifying Questions
Can I change my estate plan while my divorce is still ongoing?
Q: Can I change my estate plan while my divorce is still ongoing? -Speculative spouse A: Dear Speculative...
Clarifying Questions
Are non-biological parents in same-gender marriage granted parental rights?
Q: Are non-biological parents in a same-gender marriage automatically granted legal parental rights? -Pon...
Clarifying Questions
We are expecting. What should be our top priority in terms of estate planning?
Q: My husband and I are expecting our first child in 7 months. What should be our top priority in terms o...
Clarifying Questions
Could my family benefit from a dynasty trust?
Q: Could my family benefit from a dynasty trust? -Frugal Father A: Dear Frugal: A dynasty trust is a spec...
Clarifying Questions
Can a spendthrift trust protect my child’s inheritance?
Q: Can a spendthrift trust protect my child’s inheritance? -Concerned Dad A: Dear Concerned: Yes, a so-ca...
Clarifying Questions
Can I disinherit my husband to ensure my adult children will inherit all of my assets?
Q: Can I disinherit my husband with estate planning to ensure my adult children will inherit all of my as...
Clarifying Questions
What is a charitable remainder trust?
Q: What is a charitable remainder trust? -Curious Dear Curious: A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a u...
Clarifying Questions
Is Quitclaim Deeding Your Home a Good Idea? | PFL® Blog
Q: My father wants to quitclaim deed his house to me before he dies, rather than include it in his will. ...
Clarifying Questions
My uncle died, and I think he had a will, but I’m not sure. How can I find out?
Q: My uncle died, and I think he had a will, but I’m not sure. How can I find out? -Will Wondering A: Dea...
Clarifying Questions
Should I purchase an accidental death and dismemberment policy?
Q: I’m looking to buy insurance to protect my family. Should I purchase an accidental death and dismember...
Clarifying Questions
Getting Paid as Financial Power of Attorney: What You Need to Know
Q: I have financial power of attorney for my mother. Can I be paid for managing her finances? -Billing Mo...
Clarifying Questions
Who should I name as executor of my will?
Q: Who should I name as executor of my will? -Pondering probate A: Dear Pondering: Selecting the right ex...
Clarifying Questions
How can I best provide for my pet using estate planning?
Q: How can I best provide for my pet using estate planning? -Dog Lover A: Dear Lover: A beloved pet can b...
Clarifying Questions
My mother died with credit card debt. Am I responsible for paying that debt?
Q: My mother recently died with lots of credit card debt. Am I responsible for paying that debt? -Worried...
Clarifying Questions
How does a living will work?
Q: How does a living will work? —Confused A: Dear Confused: Though it can be easy to confuse a “living wi...
Clarifying Questions
What is long-term care insurance?
Q: What is long-term care insurance? —Unsure A: Dear Unsure: Long-term care (LTC) insurance covers your b...
PFL® firms in your area
Hi, I’m Pam Starsia. I became a Personal Family Lawyer because I’m passionate about educating and empowering people to create estate, life, ...
Juniper Law, PLLC
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Das Law, PLLC
Let’s talk about your death . . . or incapacity. If something unfortunate happens, what will happen to your assets that you’ve worked so har...
Legacy Lawyers, PLLC
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Edris Law
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Brown Law Offices
Lisa Brown Esq. is the principal attorney for Brown Law Offices. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and ...
Millennium Attorney
Naureen Rahman has been practicing law for over twenty years in the Maryland, DC-Metropolitan area. She has practiced across numerous sector...
Reflections Life Planning, LLC
I love being able to guide my clients through a unique planning process that empowers them to live a financially fulfilling life now while e...
I am an attorney dedicated to helping families in Virginia navigate the world of estate planning. With over 22 years of legal experience, I'...
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