Estate Planning
The Importance of Keeping Beneficiaries Updated
The importance of updating your beneficiary designations, specifically for policies which fall under Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (“FEGLI”) for life insurance policies has just been highlighted by the Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision in Hillman v. Maretta. During the marriage of Mr. Hillman and Ms. Maretta, Mr. Hillman named Ms. Maretta as the beneficiary of his…
Read MoreEstate Planning Faux Pas
Estate planning is important. If you haven’t already considered an estate plan, there is no time like the present. When considering how to start this process, you should consider professional advice. Fields and Dennis has years of experience under its belt and can help you produce an estate plan that is secure, cares for all…
Read MoreEstate Planning and Second Marriages
If you are thinking about remarriage after a divorce, there is much to consider. Second marriages have become far more common in recent years, as divorce rates and life expectancy both increase. While pursuing a life with someone you love is an exciting endeavor, especially after the initial devastation that a divorce can cause, there…
Read MoreEstate Planning Lessons from Downton Abbey
A recent article from The Wall Street Journal offered “Money Lessons from Downton Abbey.” The popular British drama that takes place in the early 20th century recently ended its third season, but more important than providing entertainment, it can apparently offer valuable estate planning advice. While it is a period drama and work of fiction,…
Read MoreStudy Says Stories are Most Valued Inheritance
In a 2012 survey by the Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, it was determined that family stories are more important to many than material inheritance. The American Legacies Pulse Study surveyed baby boomers (age 47-66) and elders (72+) and concluded that 86% of baby boomers and 74% of elders surveyed deemed their family’s…
Read MoreWriting Your Social Media #Will
While writing your will you may think about who will inherit your home, drive your car, or care for your pets. You may even worry about who will bear the burden of your debt. With so many things to concern yourself with you may not give a second thought to the afterlife of your social…
Read MoreDisinheriting Someone Isn't Always Easy
The desire to disinherit someone from a will isn’t always as negative as it sounds. While most times individuals are disinherited out of anger or pride, it isn’t unheard of to desire one person to receive more or less of an estate due to financial and personal need. However, there are certain rules and guidelines to take into consideration…
Read MoreDon’t Leave Your Legacy to Chance: Estate Planning For Lottery Winners
It seems pulled from the pages of a mystery story, but you may have heard it in the headlines recently. What happens if you win the lottery but die mysteriously shortly after? Urooj Khan may have gotten lucky when he hit the jackpot for $1 million in the Illinois Lottery, but shortly after things took…
Read MoreRemarks on the 2012 Special Needs Trusts National Conference
This year’s Special Needs Trusts National Conference, held in St. Pete Beach, Florida, was exceptional. As a New Englander, heading down to Florida for a conference elicits a lot of jealous remarks-but it wasn’t the weather that cheered me up, it was the stellar material that was presented. I left feeling full of hope, because…
Read More2012 Special Needs Trusts National Conference
I’m looking forward to this year’s Special Needs Trusts National Conference next week in St. Pete Beach, Florida. This is the conference’s 14th year, and it’s going to be a great one. Speakers from all over the world will share their stories as leaders in the estate planning and special needs trusts fields. The conference…
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