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A silent trust eliminates the legal requirement that the trustee tell the beneficiaries about the trust’s existence - for a period of time. High-net-worth individuals who expect to have a taxable estate may want to consider creating a trust. Parents who want to create trusts to transfer wealth but who worry about the effect such large wealth transfers may have on their beneficiaries may want to consider including silent trust provisions.

Domestic partnerships generally don't have the same rights as married couples when it comes to estate planning. The state in which you live, and maybe even the city or county, largely determine domestic partnership rights. Because domestic partnership laws vary so widely, it is important to consult an experienced estate planning attorney. They can help you understand the laws that apply to your situation, and the estate planning you must do to ensure that your significant other will have the rights and benefits you want them to have.

Americans have enjoyed historically high estate tax exemption rates for the last twenty years. Such high exemption amounts have kept many of them from needing to seek out help from an estate tax professional. However, the exemption amount is likely to fall. If you have a high net worth, it's important to be aware of tax planning strategies, such as the Qualified Personal Residence Trust. A QPRT is an irrevocable trust that is designed to hold a taxpayer's home, with the benefit being to save money on taxes during your lifetime and when you pass away.

A common question people have after a car accident is whether or not they need to hire an attorney. Most lawyers will not tell you that many minor car accidents can be settled without their help. If your injuries didn't require medical treatment, you didn't miss any work, you didn't need to buy things for your injuries, and the other party was clearly at fault, you likely don't need an attorney.

If you have been injured due to another’s misconduct, you may be wondering: Are there any limitations on the amount of money I can receive in compensation? In some cases, there is no cap on the amount of compensation a person can receive. In others, there are limits on how much money can be awarded. This depends on the type of case, as well as the nature and severity of your injuries. It is important to be aware of damages caps that apply to your case so you can accurately manage and plan your finances.

The sale of multimillion-dollar NFTs over the last year has prompted growing interest in them—and plenty of questions. Namely, what exactly are NFTs, how are they used, and why would anyone be interested in them?

Under Ohio law there is a process set forth to resolve any disputes between interested parties when there is a dispute in regard to how one’s end of life decisions shall be enforced.

If you've recently lost a family member or other loved one, you're probably feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next. While some things can be put off until later, other steps should be taken as soon as possible. Once you've begun the grieving process and taken care of any initial concerns, it is time to begin the estate administration or trust administration process. We will help guide you through the entire legal process so you an your family members can focus on healing.

A joint pour-over trust holds you and your spouse’s joint property. You can create the joint trust together and name yourselves as the current trustees. When the first of you passes away, half of the joint trust’s accounts and property are distributed (pour over) to the deceased spouse’s separate trust, and the other half to the survivor’s separate trust.

Deferring, minimizing, or avoiding estate taxes altogether is often an important goal for married couples. However, uncertainty surrounding future estate tax laws can leave a couple feeling that they need a crystal ball to make the right decisions. Using either a marital disclaimer or the so-called 'Clayton election' as part of your estate plan can allow at least some hindsight and, consequently, peace of mind.