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.

Sign up for Our Newsletter

Check Out Our Free Webinars

Estate Crash Course Webinar               In-Law Protection Planning Webinar    

Special Needs Planning Webinar          Medicaid Planning Webinar

11 Red Flags of Estate Planning #estateplanningbasics #trustplanning revocable trust Sep 11, 2023

When it comes to estate planning, there are a lot of red flags indicating a need for some specific protections. However, one of the biggest solutions is a well-drafted, optimally-funded revocable living trust to keep the estate out of probate. Here are the top eleven red flags Indicating an...

Continue Reading...
Charity Minefields in Estate Planning #estateplanning #trustplanning #trusts 401k assets attorney advice charity ira north carolina stocks tax-deferred accounts Jan 16, 2023

Giving to charities through gifting and estate planning can provide may rewards, and not just a good feeling knowing you are helping others. There are plenty of tax breaks that can come along with being charitable. However, there are also several minefields that can unintentionally hurt you and...

Continue Reading...
How Much Does Probate Cost? #costs #estateplanning #financialplanning #financials #lastwillandtestament #livingwill #probate #trustplanning #trusts Oct 17, 2022

Probate will cost. A lot. When given the statistics, my clients are usually appalled that their estates going through the probate court system would cost so much. On average, the probate court system will eat up about 4-10% of an estate. Many states allow a standard 5% fee for an executor or...

Continue Reading...