As an estate planning attorney in Mesa, Arizona I am frequently asked the question by parents: Should I name a minor child as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy? This question has very important legal and financial ramifications that may affect your child positively or negatively for years to come and thus, should be … [Read more...] about Should I Name My Minor Child as a Beneficiary #EstatePlanningAttorney
Kenneth Barney
Your Living Trust is Not Complete if it is Not Funded Properly
If you have taken the time to create a trust based estate plan and have not taken the next step to ensure all of your assets have been transferred (“funded”) properly, then your trust may not accomplish all that you have intended. Please use the following guidelines below to be certain you have funded your trust correctly to protect your legacy … [Read more...] about Your Living Trust is Not Complete if it is Not Funded Properly
What Can We Learn From Robin Williams’ Estate Plan? #EstatePlanningAttorney
The unfortunate death of actor Robin Williams in August 2014 has sparked numerous articles, blogs and commentary on his life, family, comedy, mental illness, depression, and his estate plan. Whenever a celebrity passes away, either by natural causes or prematurely by unfortunate circumstances or events, undoubtedly that celebrity’s estate plan … [Read more...] about What Can We Learn From Robin Williams’ Estate Plan? #EstatePlanningAttorney
My Loved One Died and Nominated Me as Trustee – What do I do Now? #EstatePlanningAttorney
A very common scenario plays out time and time again: A parent or loved one, years ago, planning ahead (which in and of its self, is something almost 70% of American’s do not do), created a Revocable Living Trust. The Trust book was then placed on the shelf and has collected dust during the past 10+ years, having never been updated nor properly … [Read more...] about My Loved One Died and Nominated Me as Trustee – What do I do Now? #EstatePlanningAttorney
AB Trust Planning vs. Portability Under ATRA-2012 – To “B” or Not to “B”: #EstatePlanningAttorney
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA-2012) was enacted on January 2, 2013, effectively saving us from falling off the Estate & Gift Tax “Fiscal Cliff” that threatened us at the end of 2012. ATRA-2012 was a welcome relief for many families who worried that the estate and gift tax exemption would fall back to a $1.0 million exemption … [Read more...] about AB Trust Planning vs. Portability Under ATRA-2012 – To “B” or Not to “B”: #EstatePlanningAttorney
Estate Planning Lawyer: A Will Makes Your Passing Easier on Heirs
A frustrated son recently wrote into a well-known advice columnist, lamenting the fact that his father refused to create a trust based estate plan or even a will that would designate how his property and various businesses should be handled in the event of his passing. The son questioned whether such action was "selfish." Our Mesa estate … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Lawyer: A Will Makes Your Passing Easier on Heirs