Giving back is a big priority for many Georgia families, and charitable giving becomes an important component of estate planning. The manner in which a family handles those contributions, however, can make a big difference in the taxation bottom line. There are ways...
Protecting Your Golden Years
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Wills
Even the rich and famous sometimes overlook wills, other tools
With the recent passing of singer Aretha Franklin, the nation mourns the loss of an American musical icon. While Franklin certainly was skilled at dominating any stage she found herself upon, she didn't have the same level of ambition when it came to estate planning....
Are living trusts better than wills for your specific needs?
For Georgia residents considering their estate planning options, living trusts may offer some attractive features. While wills are a good place to start an estate planning journey, it's worthwhile to consider the benefits of a living trust. The reason they're named...
Wills won’t cover a child’s short-term needs
Most Georgia residents take a "big picture" approach when working on estate planning. They think ahead when considering how assets should be transferred, how to minimize taxation, and how to provide loved ones with all the guidance needed to navigate the aftermath of...
Addressing drug or alcohol abuse in wills and trusts
For most Georgia residents, the primary purpose of estate planning is to pass down accumulated wealth to the next generation. For families that have a loved one struggling with addiction, that goal can become complicated. Deciding how to best structure an inheritance...
A fresh approach to creating wills, trusts and more
A recently published article makes the claim that "estate planning is dead." The author isn't arguing that people in Georgia or elsewhere should disregard the need for an estate plan. However, a strong argument is made that a fresh approach to estate planning could be...
Not all spouses want to change their wills during divorce
When many Georgia couples divorce, they intend for the process to create a permanent end to their relationship, and to go their separate ways. That is not always the case, however. Just as no two marriages are ever exactly alike, divorces are also as unique as the...
Here’s why wills should play a part in Georgia divorce process
For those in Georgia who are going through divorce, estate planning might be the last thing on their minds. It's important to understand, however, that if these issues are not handled at the beginning of a divorce, one's estranged spouse could end up making serious...
Digital assets an important part of Georgia wills
Life is full of changes. Thirty years ago, the average Georgia family used a traditional camera and had to take the film to a store to be made into prints, picked up the telephone or a piece of stationery to catch up with friends and relatives and wrote checks to pay...
Including art and collectibles in wills takes special planning
Georgia residents who collect art or other valuable items may want to pass those assets down to loved ones. Including art and collectibles in wills, however, requires a degree of advance planning and communication with heirs. The first step involves determining the...