Estate Planning Update: Federal Estate Tax No More?
Introduction – Estate Planning Today For years, the primary goal of estate planning attorneys was minimizing or eliminating estate taxes at both the federal and state level. In 2010, the state of Oklahoma abolished its estate tax. Now, the federal government may do the same. That’s according to a blueprint that the Trump Administration and […]
Making Oklahoma Probate Easier
Probate is the court-supervised process of a distributing a deceased person’s property and money. Due to the time and costs involved, one should strive avoid it. However, for a variety of reasons, that is not always possible. What, then, can the Personal Representative do to make it easier? Here are three tips: Follow Orders of […]
Estate Planning 101: Revocable Living Trusts
Estate planning and revocable living trusts. Between summer vacations, outdoor activities and backyard barbeques, it may not be top of mind. However, with the Fourth of July behind us, now is a good time to address this issue before the back-t0-school rush. Today I am beginning a series of posts entitled Estate Planning 101. The […]
Oil and Gas Probate
Many Oklahoma families own oil and gas rights, which can be a significant source of income. Unfortunately, mineral owners frequently misplace records detailing their oil and gas rights. Further, title problems arise. As a result, the oil and gas companies delay royalty payments. Among the biggest reasons for this delay is probate. What is Probate? […]
Last Will and Testament vs. Revocable Living Trust
For estate planning, one must choose either a last will and testament or revocable living trust. These documents differ in important ways. But for several reasons, a revocable living trust is probably the better estate planning tool. A last will and testament requires probate. This is expensive and time-consuming. Probate also reduces privacy. Everything is […]
Estate Planning: 3 Things You Should Know
Estate planning is a nebulous term. It’s also a morbid one. Thus, many procrastinate on getting their affairs in order. But estate planning is among the best things you can do for your family. Here are three things you should know: Estate planning isn’t just for the rich. In fact, anyone with property and/or money […]
Can I Protect My Assets From Medicaid?
By some estimates, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease will triple by 2050. As a result, an increasing number of American families will have to deal with the issue of long-term care. With costs approaching $60,000 per year, nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be a financial burden even for people in the upper middle […]
Selling Property in Probate
A deceased person’s largest asset is frequently a house. Whenever loved ones list the home, they’re sometimes surprised to learn that probate is necessary. In such cases, the family and their realtor should have a general understanding of probate sales. Selling a house through probate involves court supervision. Generally, the personal representative of the estate […]
Spring Cleaning For Your Estate Plan
We have sprung forward! Despite the loss of sleep, I always look forward to the return of daylight savings time. It means warming temperatures, more sunshine and the pursuit of outdoor hobbies. For many, there is also spring cleaning. In between the yard work and garage sales, consider spring cleaning for your estate plan. Here’s […]
The Bank Asked for Letters Testamentary: Now What?
Losing a loved one is painful. Wrapping up the deceased’s financial affairs only adds to the stress. I often receive phone calls stating, “The bank asked me for Letters Testamentary. What’s that, and how do I get them?” Unfortunately, it involves probate. If the deceased owned money or property in their name only, generally a […]