Federal regulators took over Silicon Valley Bank after shutting it down on Friday – two days after SVB’s announcement that it had lost almost $2 billion in Treasury bonds. The bank, which caters to many of the world’s most powerful tech investors, is the largest to...
Estate, Wealth & Succession Planning
The Risks of DIY Estate Planning
Quality Matters: Estate Planning Is No Exception The other day, my hot water tank broke. At first, I just thought the pilot light went out. I was easily able to follow the directions to get the pilot light back on, but the water didn’t heat up. So, I went back and...
When Should You Hire a Probate Attorney?
If probate is needed, the process usually begins soon after a loved one passes away. The probate process can be long, stressful, and expensive. Some family members are able to manage it on their own without an attorney, but it is typically a much too involved and time...
What the SECURE 2.0 Act Means for Your Retirement Savings
At the very end of 2022, President Biden signed the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package which includes the SECURE 2.0 Act. SECURE 2.0 builds on The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, revising existing rules around retirement...
Can Pets Inherit?
For so many of us, pets are part of the family. Everywhere you go, you likely notice that people bring their dogs along these days; and many pets, such as birds and tortoises, have long life spans. So, you might worry about what will happen to your beloved fur baby...
Frequently Asked Questions About Inheritance and Adoption
As an Estate, Wealth & Succession Planning attorney, I often assist individuals with a variety of matters ranging from basic estate plans to more complex business succession arrangements. Frequently, when assisting families with estate planning or asset...
Protecting Your Retirement Savings From a Market Crash
Markets have been unstable for months, causing investors to be on edge – with good reason. Already this year, the stock market has fallen and wiped out more than $3 trillion in retirement savings. Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at...
The Growth of Cryptocurrency Charitable Donations
Capital Gains Tax and Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrency donations to charities were booming in 2021 and continue in 2022. Digital assets donations on Giving Tuesday grew 583% in 2021 from Giving Tuesday in 2020 and should grow even more in 2022. The Internal Revenue...
Passing Down Cryptocurrency Assets: Gifting And Estate Planning Considerations
What Is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that is created and traded online. Miners (computer operators) establish new units of digital currency and record them on a blockchain, or a string of verified public transaction records. Cryptocurrency records...
Special Considerations for Divorces Involving Middle Aged and Older Americans — Part Two
Part 2: Division of Assets and Debts, Retirement Benefits, and Estate Planning Matters As discussed in Part One of our two-part series detailing the social phenomenon know as “grey” divorce, a number of recent studies, reports and other analyses have found an...