Wealth Preservation, Trusts and Estates

Just over a year ago I posted an article advising you of the birth of our son, James Douglas Kaune. I also took the time to emphasize the need to do proper estate planning to protect your minor children. Well, James is now 13 months old and his Birthday picture is shown on this posting. Time sure flies. James has been great fun and a joy to have in our lives. We are very thankful to have him!

In keeping with the estate planning for minors theme, I thought it was appropriate to remind you that if you have not prepared a proper Last Will with guardianship provisions and trusts for minors you should do so now to make sure your child or children are properly cared for if something happens unexpectedly. You should also remember to update your beneficiary designations on IRA’s, 401k’s, 403b’s and life insurance to properly make use of the trusts you create under your wills. These are very important items to take care of. I know it can be hectic with children, work and other obligations, but you will feel much better after you take care of this important checklist item. Here is an article with some additional considerations when estate planning for your children.

Contact, Douglas L. Kaune, Esquire with questions about your estate planning or other legal questions (dkaune@utbf.com)
Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees, P.C. having Offices in Malvern, Phoenixville and West Chester, PA
PH (610) 933-8069
Fax(610) 240-9323
www.utbf.com

Share and Enjoy

Remember to Review The Tax Allocation Clause In Your Will or Trust. by Douglas L. Kaune, Esquire. Most people do not realize that they can choose which beneficiaries will be responsible for paying the PA inheritance tax and federal estate tax on their taxable estate. Many wills are written automatically and sometimes incorrectly to say that the taxes are to be paid from the residue of the probate estate. Therefore, you could unexpectedly lay the entire tax burden on the shoulders of the people who are beneficiares under the will where there are beneficiaries of specific assets in the will, joint accounts or beneficiaries named on an IRA or 401K or stock account outside of the probate estate. The PA inheritance and federal estate taxes could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars so you should be careful to structure the tax clause, if desired, to make the beneficiaries of specific gifts or nonprobate assets responsible for paying the tax on what they receive. Review this article for a closer look at the tax clause issue and specific examples of where it might be important to adjust the clause to insure a fair allocation of the taxes in your estate.
Please feel free to contact us at any time at 610-933-8069 or dkaune@utbf.com to discuss your particular case to determine the appropriate tax clause in your estate planning documents.
Wills * Trusts * Elder Law * Probate * Asset Protection * Power of Attorney * Estate Planning
Malvern, Phoenixville, West Chester Offices Chester County Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Berks County, Philadelphia County Law Practice Locations.

Share and Enjoy