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Many of my clients are big fans of Dave Ramsey, as am I. He recommends doing three things this year that will change your life – check it out here. I can help you with two of the three things he recommends. First, he recommends paying off debt or reaching a savings goal – not…
Happy New Year everyone! Thanks to all of my clients who helped make 2011 the best one yet for my firm. In spite of the tough economic times, my firm thrived, partially because of my low fees, and partially due to an ever-increasing number of referrals from happy clients. If you are one of those…
This is something I hear all the time. People confuse the terms living trust and living will. The only similarities between a living trust and a living will are that they both contain the word “living”, and both can be done as part of estate planning. A living trust is a tool that is primarily…
Late last month, a deal was finally signed into law which changed the estate tax laws. The current law was set to expire at the end of the year. In its place a new law was going to take effect, which enabled each person to pass only $1 million of property at his or her death…
As my recent clients can attest, it has been very hard to plan for estate taxes for the past year. In 2010, there is currently not an estate tax. However, in 2011, the estate tax is set to tax everything over $1 million per person at fairly high rates. Many of my clients have substantial…
Companies are increasingly becoming more creative in finding ways of using the ashes of the deceased in inanimate objects, including turning ashes into jewelry, paint, or fireworks. The one I read about today is a new one to me – a company in the UK offers people the chance to press their ashes into vinyl…
Congress has still not taken any action on the estate tax. Currently, for individuals dying in 2010, their estates are not subject to any estate tax. However, for individuals dying in 2011, the estate tax is scheduled to return, taxing everything over $1 million at levels of up to 55 percent! According to this article…
This story from the AJC illustrates why couples should discuss health care and end of life issues before marriage. In this tragic story, a bride discovered she had a brain tumor on her wedding day. She fell into a coma 10 days later, following brain surgery. She and her husband had a discussion about the possible…
Are you a trustee for a special needs trust or considering becoming a trustee? Click here and fill out the online form and the Special Needs Alliance will send you a free handbook with information for trustees of special needs trusts.
Last Friday, I got to meet Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who is my favorite Supreme Court Justice. He gave a lecture at my alma mater, the University of Tennessee College of Law. He was very down to earth, witty, intelligent and humble. After the lecture, he stuck around for an alumni reception. He could…
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