Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations

Jan 2, 2021 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including beneficiary designations. Beneficiary designations may control a large part of your...

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It’s Better to Give, Especially This Year

Jan 2, 2021 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

Ordinarily, charitable deductions are only available as an itemized deduction. When you file your federal taxes, you have an option to take itemized deductions or the standard deduction. The standard deduction in 2020 is $12,400...

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Give the Gift of Peace of Mind

Oct 30, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning

We have written on this subject before, but it seems critical at this time of year – when both holidays and bad weather are upon us – to raise again the issue of having proper...

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Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney for Property, and Health Care Documents are Critically Important for People of all Ages

Oct 30, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning

Did you know, if your 18-year-old got into an accident, doctors would not be allowed to release your child’s medical information to you? Did you know that Living Trusts can keep your estate away from...

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Shrunken Asset Values Open Estate Planning Opportunities

Jul 22, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has been a challenge confronting countries around the world. Not only has COVID-19 been challenging healthcare systems, but the social distancing required to combat the virus has also rocked financial markets....

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What is “Death Probate’?

Jul 20, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning

What is “probate” and when is it needed?  There are various forms of “probate” but this article will be discussing what is commonly referred to as “death probate”, or the process of transferring assets from...

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Wills, Trusts, and Understanding Probate [Video]

Jul 16, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning

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The Basics: “HIPAA” Powers

Jul 1, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

This is the second in a three-part series of articles on Powers of Attorney. The first article examined the Financial Power of Attorney. This second article examines the Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Directive....

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Removing Life Insurance Without Triggering the Transfer for Value Rule

Jul 1, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

Life insurance is included in the taxable estate typically. A trust is a great way to remove the value of life insurance from the taxable estate. But there are two potential traps in this. The...

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Removing Life Insurance from the Taxable Estate

Jul 1, 2020 / By: Lantz Law, Inc.

Category: Estate Planning, legal education

Life insurance is included in the taxable estate typically. A trust is a great way to remove the value of life insurance from the estate. But, there are two potential traps in this.

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