When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, it can be a shocking, emotionally intense, and confusing time. The confusion may stem from figuring out what happens next. When it comes to figuring out who has legal rights to a deceased person’s property, it is not as straightforward as one may…
Family trusts can offer a lot of advantages, including tax advantages and benefits from long-term care planning. However, it is not uncommon for there to be disputes and conflicts between trustees and beneficiaries. When such disputes arise, there may be a time when you consider whether a trustee needs to…
All cultures worldwide have different rituals and traditions pertaining to the end of one’s life. As the radius of influence between cultures is shortened by technology and migration, some of the death traditions of all cultures become available for discovery and possible adoption. The Swedish practice of döstädning, or “death…
In 2017, the US Congress passed a bill known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed by the President and has since become law. The Act modifies the tax code in various ways, generally reducing the amount of taxes that American business owners are required to pay…
On December 29, 2022, the SECURE 2.0 Act was passed in an effort to make retirement planning easier for federal retirees. The Act, however, contains myriad provisions and may be difficult to comb through for someone looking to adapt their retirement plans to take advantage of the more lenient new…
While taking out a life insurance policy always seems like a good idea at the time, your life circumstances can change such that continuing to pay premiums no longer makes sense. For example, if you do not have dependents, or if your dependents would not face financial hardship if you…
Many people cannot imagine their families going to battle in court over the terms of their will after their passing. But it is an unfortunate reality that grief and probate can bring out the worst in people. Litigation over an estate is all too common. One significant source of this…
Unfortunately, Colorado ranks only 42nd in the country for pediatric mental health. This indicates a lack of access to mental health care for children in Colorado and an unawareness of services available. If you have a child or teen with mental health needs, you know how important high-quality mental health…
Many people cannot imagine their families going to battle in court over the terms of their will after their passing. But it is an unfortunate reality that grief and probate can bring out the worst in people. Litigation over an estate is all too common. One significant source of this…
Every family should consider the impact of taxes on their assets when making important decisions. High net-worth individuals and families, however, know they should especially consider relevant tax laws before making big estate plan or asset management changes. But staying on top of the ever-changing task landscape can be tricky.…