Tag Archives: tax

Estate Planning

Tips for Managing Your Important Records

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Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. However, it is still essential that you keep your supporting records organized. This will make it easier for your family to handle your affairs when you die. Below are a few suggestions for organizing your records:

  • Establish a storage system. Go through your paperwork and get rid of any unnecessary documents. Sort the important records and create a filing system that keeps them organized.
  • Protect important records. It is important to safeguard your original documents that cannot be replaced in a fire-proof safe or a safety deposit box. We strongly urge clients to use safety deposit boxes. Unless you have a very expensive “in wall” safe, set in concrete, it is unlikely the safe will really stand up to a home fire. Examples of documents you should store safely include your estate planning documents, passports, insurance policies, deeds to real property, titles to vehicles, birth/marriage certificates, and other similar records.
  • Separate tax materials. If you maintain a separate file for the documents you will need for your tax filings, it will make the process much simpler when tax time comes.
  • Confer with professionals. You should let your attorney and financial advisors keep a copy of all of your essential records.
  • Consider online back-up. You may wish to scan and store your records online. There are a variety of websites that provide these services or you can upload your documents to a password-protected hard drive.

The above steps may seem a bit overwhelming to you, but once you establish a document system for your records, it will be easy to maintain. If your home should catch fire or be destroyed in a storm, you will feel relief knowing that your important records are protected.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

Estate Planning

Important Questions to ask Your Estate Planning Attorney

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Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. Thus, it is critical that you work with a seasoned and knowledgeable estate planning attorney. Below are a few questions you should consider asking lawyers you are considering hiring:

What percentage of the lawyer’s practice is estate planning?

Estate planning is a complex area of the law, so it is essential to work with a lawyer who focuses on estate planning, estate tax reduction, and stays current on the applicable laws. An attorney who merely dabbles in estate planning will not be prepared to handle complicated and family and financial issues. You want to work with a professional who has handled situations similar to yours and who can help you accomplish your estate planning goals. Ask the question, how many trusts, wills or estate planning clients have you met with this week or this month. The answer will be very important to you. If an attorney isn’t meeting with multiple clients each week on estate planning matters, you should consider someone else who is.

Will the lawyer provide assistance after the documents are drafted?

It is important to have an attorney who will properly draft your estate plan and provide assistance with the practical side of it too. For example, your trust document will only benefit you if it is properly funded. A good estate planning lawyer will provide you guidance and detailed written instructions on how to properly title your assets in the name of the trust.

How will you be billed for the lawyer’s services?

Before you retain an attorney, you should understand whether you will be charged a fixed fee for the majority of the services or if the law firm uses an hourly rate. If you agree to a flat fee, you should understand what services are and are not included in the fee. You should also understand how you will be charged for services that are not included in the fixed fee.

The above are just a few examples of questions you should cover with a lawyer before you hire him or her to create your estate plan. One of the most important questions, however, is one you must ask yourself. That is, do you trust and feel comfortable with the attorney? It is important to work with an estate planning lawyer that you not only trust is sufficiently knowledgeable and skilled to assist you, but also one that you can comfortably discuss some of your most personal and private information with.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

Estate Planning

A Short Estate Planning Checklist

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Estate planning can seem overwhelming to many people and they don’t know where to begin. While there are many decisions to be made and numerous factors that must be considered, below is a simple checklist of four items that you should look into immediately:

  • Create an estate plan. Although this can include several tasks, it is important to take the first step. Contact us and let us walk you through the process of creating a comprehensive estate plan. Even if you cannot afford to accomplish everything you want right now, your estate plan can be established in steps. We can begin with what fits within your finances, then upgrade later. If you have an existing estate plan, let us review it and update it if necessary. Many changes occur over time, with family, your financial status, and of course your age.
  • Save on taxes. You can save a significant amount of money by taking advantage of the federal gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. To learn more about how to do this, please contact us.
  • Gifting. You are allowed to give tax-free gifts each year in an amount up to $14,000 in cash or other assets to as many individuals as you want. This strategy allows you to decrease the size of your estate (which can save on estate taxes) over time, while also benefitting your beneficiaries. You should discuss this with an estate planning attorney before embarking on gifting. Giving away assets has the obvious implication that you can’t get it back, but also, there are more tax-efficient ways of gifting than simply writing a check.
  • Life insurance. You should review your life insurance policies (or look into buying one) to confirm that it meets your family’s needs and that the beneficiaries named are correct.
  • Retirement Plans. You should review the beneficiary designations on your retirement plans. Naming the right primary beneficiary and secondary beneficiary is critical to your family.

Don’t be intimidated by the estate planning process. We can help simply it for you while also ensuring that you and your family are protected.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

Estate Planning

Should I Transfer My Home While I’m Alive?

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For many Utah residents (and for most people in general), their most significant asset is their home. In an effort to avoid the probate process, or save the money required to create an estate plan, many people transfer title to their house while they are still alive. In most instances, a parent transfers title to their home to an adult child, believing this is an inexpensive and simple answer. Sadly, this can lead to serious complications for you and your loved ones.

Two important factors to consider are that by transferring title to your home, (i) you lose your homestead exemption for protection from creditors, and you are no longer entitled to a reduced property tax because it is not an owner occupied primary residence. This can cost you thousands of dollars.

Another concern is that you lose control over the rights to your home. If you should have a dispute with your child, you could potentially lose the ability to live in your own house! Your child (or children) owns the house, and without providing more, he or she does not have a legal obligation to let you continue living there (unless otherwise provided by contract). Additionally, you have no control over what can be done to your property, such as renovations, but also with your home being used as collateral for loans. What happens more often is a child has creditor problems of their own and their judgment creditors then have liens on your home!

Finally, you should also consider whether transferring title to a child will cause problems at your death amongf your other children. The child that owns your home has no legal obligation to share it with his or her siblings. What happens at death when that child faces the other children and simply states that he doesn’t intend to share?

To remedy this, some people put the names of all of their children on a deed to their home. However, if you put all of your children’s names on the title to your house, it can make the documentation very complicated and it leaves the home more vulnerable to attack by creditors and even more complicated. For example, what happens if one of your children dies before you do? Who then owns their share of the house? And even if your children cooperate with you, will your inlaws or grandchildren? What happens if you want to sell the home and use the proceeds to buy a smaller home or for your support in old age? One holdout can jam up the works and you can’t sell your house! You can see that this creates serious complications and is never a recommended plan.

More often than not, the arrangement that sounded so simple becomes seriously complicated and costly and results in litigation in your estate. It is far more costly than preparing a sound estate plan. And the worst thing is, it doesn’t carry out your wishes.

Creating an estate plan is a safer, more efficient and less costly means for transferring all of your important assets. If you want to avoid the probate process, you can create a revocable living trust. This type of trust provides you with flexibility to decide when and how your estate is distributed. A trust can actually save your family a significant amount of money, time and disputes in the long run and you can be assured that your intent is carried out under all circumstances.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

Estate Planning, Uncategorized

Estate Planning: Why are you avoiding it?

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QuestionYou probably understand that having an estate plan is very important, but like most people, you likely think you’ll get to it…eventually. It is normal to have some reservations about estate planning. Below are some of the most common reasons we hear for why our clients have procrastinated in creating their estate plan:

  • Fear of death. None of us like to think about dying. It can be uncomfortable to talk about appointing guardians, personal representatives or trustee. Your loved ones can feel awkward telling you what assets they would like to inherit from you. There is no correct way for having these discussions. As we conduct these types of discussions with clients, it is not unusual for clients to get emotional thinking about the event of death. You should use the approach that works best for you. Just remember that it is better to feel a little uncomfortable but to protect your loved ones and leave them feeling like you cared enough to plan for them, than to leave them resentful that you didn’t take care of matters while you were alive.
  • Fear of emotional upheaval. It can be difficult to deal with highly emotional and stressful situations, especially if you have strained relations with your family members. If you have different goals for your estate plan than your loved ones have, it can cause emotions and tensions to flare. Being forthright with your intentions can allow you to explain what you are trying to accomplish. It also gives you the opportunity to listen to how your loved ones feel. Even if you cannot reach a complete agreement, at least everyone knows where they stand and they are not left wondering. Whether or not to talk to family about your intentions depends on the circumstances. An experienced estate planning attorney can counsel with you on the best approach.
  • Fear of losing control over finances. Some individuals incorrectly believe that they will lose control over their financial security by creating an estate plan. We can help you develop an estate plan that not only makes you feel comfortable with your financial future, but that actually makes you feel more secure. In fact, creating a good estate plan keeps you in control. Instead of a judge deciding who controls your property and assets if you become incapacitated, you get to choose. That keeps you in control.

If you are procrastinating creating an estate plan, don’t delay any longer. Schedule your initial consultation to learn your options and let us eliminate your fears. All of our clients admit that they should have come to see us earlier and that they are relieved that they finally did! We have never had a client feel badly that they completed their estate plan. It is always a big relief, and they are pleased with the process.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

Asset Protection

Asset Protection with Generation-Skipping Trusts

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Couple giving two young children piggyback rides smilingIf you have worked hard all your life to accumulate your wealth, whether it is a small amount or a significant amount, it is important to protect your assets. Estate planning is a critical element of asset protection efforts. In order for estate planning to be effective, you should try to identify all of the potential “threats” to your assets. Common examples include taxes, the expenses associated with probate actions, former spouses, and creditors.

There are numerous ways we can help you avoid certain threats that could negatively impact or deplete your assets. One option to consider is placing your assets into a generation-skipping trust. As indicated by the name, you skip a generation when naming beneficiaries. In other words, you name your grandchildren as the final beneficiaries instead of your children. This may sound shocking, but there is a twist to this arrangement. Your children can be life beneficiaries, with the Trustee having the discretion to distribute income or principal of the trust to your children during their lifetime.

As a result, because your children do not own or have the right to assets in the trust, the assets are not available to attack by their creditors. The remaining trust assets left after your children die are transferred to your grandchildren. In sum, a generation-skipping trust impacts ownership, not the benefits received or the ability to use trust assets.

The generation skipping type of trust benefits your children and grandchildren, but not necessarily you as the Grantor. If you are working to protect assets for your benefit, there are other strategies such as use of Family Limited Liability Companies (“FLLC”), or Domestic Asset Protection Trusts, or even more complicated arrangements using Off-Shore Trust arrangements.

Generation skipping trusts are just one example of how you can protect your assets. Let us review your individual circumstances and help you understand your options for asset protection and tax advantages for your family. The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

 

Estate Planning

When Should I Update my Estate Plan?

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If you have created an estate plan, you have taken a very important step in protecting your family. However, it is important to understand that you cannot simply file your estate plan away and forget it. This can result in unintended and costly consequences. Not only does your life change, but so do the tax laws. You put a lot of time and effort into creating your estate plan, so it is essential to review it regularly and ensure that it still reflects your wishes and that you will obtain the maximum benefit from it.

25765577_sWhen your estate plan was drafted, your attorney considered a variety of factors such as estate tax, gift tax, income tax and other rules governing the distribution of your estate. The tax laws are always changing and your finances have likely changed too. Having your estate plan reviewed can verify that your financial goals are still being accomplished in the most effective way.

So, when should you have your estate plan reviewed? In most situations, having an estate planning attorney look over your estate plan every few years is sufficient. However, if you have experienced a major life event or had a substantial change in your finances, you should update your plan. This includes events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, adoption, death of a spouse or other similar events that could impact the distribution of your estate.

Is it expensive to have my estate plan updated? Usually, a simple review of your estate plan is not expensive. However, the longer you wait in between reviews the more updates that are likely to be needed. In order to keep the cost low, many attorneys suggest having your estate plan reviewed each year. In all events you should review it annually to make sure that the guardians, trustees and personal representatives are kept updated.

Whether you need to draft the initial documents to create an estate plan or you have an existing plan that needs to be updated, let us help. The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

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Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

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OopsCreating a comprehensive estate plan can be a complex process. It requires forethought, strategic planning and an understanding of tax laws. Below are a few common estate planning mistakes that you want to avoid:

Create a Plan

Don’t assume your estate is too small to warrant having an estate plan. Although state law provides a plan for everyone, it likely is not the most beneficial plan for your loved ones.

Beneficiary Designations & Title to Assets

It is important to verify that your estate plan matches your beneficiary designations and how your assets are titled. If there is a conflict, the designations and the titling will control, but you want to avoid confusion in order to eliminate any disputes from arising.

Life Insurance

If you own life insurance at the time of your death, it can be included in your estate. If you choose to transfer ownership of the policy during your lifetime, you can avoid any potential estate tax inclusion. Deciding how to have your insurance policy owned or controlled is a highly individualized decision, but it is important to get professional advice.

Gifts

An effective way to minimize future estate taxes is by giving annual gifts to your loved ones. You can transfer significant amounts of money or assets out of your estate which reduces your tax liability. With strategic planning, you can use your annual gift tax exclusions so each yearly gift can be leveraged into greater sums being transferred out of your estate. To learn more, please read our blog “Estate Planning Tip: Gifting to Grandchildren.”

To learn more about mistakes commonly made in estate planning, please read our blog tomorrow titled “Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid – Part 2.” The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

 

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Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid – Part 2

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erase mistakeThis blog is a continuation from our last blog topic titled “Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid – Part 2.” The following are three more errors in estate planning that you want to avoid:

Failing to Get Help

We live in a world where many things can be done with the help of “do it yourself”guides. The internet is full of websites claiming they will save you money by showing you how to prepare your will or trust. However, there are many problems that can arise from using DIY guides. Many of them are very generalized and were not created to comply with your applicable state law or your unique life circumstances. Additionally, computer programs are often not timely updated to comply with changes in the law, nor will it notify you when the law changes. As a result, a seasoned estate planning lawyer will save you time, money and stress, because you have the peace of mind knowing your plan is done correctly.

Estate Tax Exemption

An attorney can help you minimize your estate taxes by strategically making gifts during your lifetime. Estate tax exclusions routinely change, so it is important to be aware of them and take advantage of the exclusions when they are at their highest.

Outright Inheritances

Even if all of your beneficiaries are adults, you may not want to give outright inheritances. This is especially true of the adult who has poor financial management skills and you want to provide for them over a long period of time. Creating a trust, either revocable or irrevocable, can allow you to take advantage of the asset protection benefits for as long as possible, while also giving you the flexibility to set forth how you want your assets distributed once you are gone. For more information regarding trusts, please read our blog titled “Do You Need a Trust?”

Don’t put your estate or loved ones in jeopardy. Let a professional help you create your estate plan. It will save you money and time in the long run.

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.

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DIY + Estate Planning = Trouble

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HammerOnNailCreating an estate plan is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. It helps provide them stability and comfort, as well as helping you save money. While you may be tempted to “do it yourself” (DIY), estate planning is not an area where DIY is typically successful.

There are many pitfalls in estate planning that can get you into trouble. For example, many DIY estate planners fail to file a gift tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS uses a gift tax compliance initiative allowing the agency to use land records from both state and local governments to locate individuals for gift tax audits. In other words, the IRS conducts searches for real estate transactions that involve little or no money exchanged, which commonly occurs in DIY estate planning.

A common mistake occurs when an individual attempts to save money by transferring real property to their family members by adding their name to the deed instead of creating an estate plan. While this strategy can effectively transfer ownership of the property, it creates serious tax consequences for the person transferring the property. Transferring real estate can constitute a gift and the IRS requires the transferor to file a gift tax return and possibly pay a gift tax.

It is important to note that even if you would not owe a gift tax, your failure to file a gift tax return could result in criminal penalties. In fact, a conviction for failing to file a gift tax return can result in a penalty of up to $25,000 and up to a year in prison.

The IRS has been increasing its enforcement of gift taxes. If you are considering creating an estate plan, let us help. Don’t get yourself into trouble or put your estate in jeopardy. Whatever amount you pay a lawyer to help you will be less expensive than a DIY disaster

The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.