The Plain English Attorney Blog

Far too many attorneys overcomplicate things, making topics convoluted and difficult to understand to the average person. This blog is committed to explaining legal planning topics in an easy to understand format, in plain English. Enjoy the blogs, and please let us know if there is a topic you would like covered.

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How to Avoid Probate #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #estatetaxes #financialplanning #lastwill #lastwillandtestament #longtermplanning #planning #probate #probateprocess #process #trustplanning #trusts #will #wills attorney attorney advice estate documents estate planning estate planning attorney estate planning basics estate planning strategies last will and testament lawyer advice lawyers advice livingtrust planningattorney revocable living trust the plain english attorneyā„¢ trust trust planning Apr 29, 2024

One of the biggest frustrations I see in my line of work is when people who are already going through a crisis because of the death or a long-term illness of a family member end up in probate. This time-consuming, frustrating, and paperwork intensive process only compounds the grief and agony...

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Will or Trust? #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #estatetaxes #genzestateplanning #lastwill #lastwillandtestament #probate #trustplanning #trusts #will #wills attorney advice basic estate planning beginner estate planning estate documents estate planning attorney estate planning basics last will and testament livingtrust planningattorney probate revocable living trust revocable trust revocable trusts the plain english attorneyā„¢ trust trust planning wills Apr 15, 2024

When it comes to estate planning, what you do with your estate is wide open. However, there are only two heavyweights when it comes to how you pass along your estate. You are either using a Last Will and Testament, or a revocable living trust as the base of your plan. But which one is best?...

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The Value of Professional Conferences: How Estate Planners Become Rockstars #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #estateplanningbooks #estatetaxes #financialplanning #planning #trustplanning #trusts #whatisestateplanning asset protection attorney-client relationships estate planning estate planning attorney living trusts north carolina planningattorney revocable living trust revocable trust revocable trusts the plain english attorneyā„¢ trust planning Feb 26, 2024

When it comes to estate planning, there’s always more information coming our way. It’s also not just about tax updates or changes to law, but it can often be just better ways to serve our clients through technological advancements and new platforms. While state bar sponsored...

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5 Toxic Lawyer Schemes #estateplanning #estatetaxes #financialplanning #longtermplanning #planning #probate #trustplanning asset protection asset protection trust common mistakes estate planning estate planning attorney lawyers advice north carolina planningattorney probate probate problems the plain english attorneyā„¢ trust trust planning Feb 19, 2024

It's unfortunate, but there are numerous estate planning practices that have become standard operating procedure at law firms that are not necessarily the best thing for the clients or their families. In fact, they seem designed specifically to make more money for the law firm than they are to...

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2024 Death Taxes Explained #estateplanning #estatetaxes #financialplanning attorney advice estate planning attorney generational wealth the plain english attorneyā„¢ trust trustee gifts Jan 22, 2024

A general question I hear from new clients is whether or not they have to worry about "death taxes." The term "death tax" is actually political, and candidates use it as a campaign football. In actuality, there are several different taxes related to estates and inheritances that may or may not...

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Estate Taxes Avoidable? #estatetaxes estatetaxexemption ilit irrevocable life insurance trusts Oct 30, 2023

The Return of the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts might be making a big comeback as a popular tool to help avoid estate taxes and to help pay those taxes and other expenses without having to liquidate assets. But how do these irrevocable trusts work?...

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EINs and Trusts #estateplanning #estatetaxes #irrevocabletrusts #taxpayerid #trusts May 24, 2022

This question keeps coming up... "Does a trust need a separate taxpayer identification number?" It depends. In general...

* Revocable Living Trusts do not need an EIN/Taxpayer ID if the Trustor(s) are still alive

* Irrevocable Trusts generall DO need a separate EIN

* Hybrid Irrevocable...

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Three Sneaky Ways the Government Makes Itself Your Beneficiary #beneficiary #estateplanning #estatetaxes #specialneedsestateplanning 401k ira May 12, 2022

When it comes to special government programs, what on the surface appears to be a good deal may not really be to your advantage or especially to your estate beneficiaries. Unfortunately, chances are that you are already invested in once these “deals” That is, unless you know all of...

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