So what exactly IS estate planning? When I tell people that I am an Estate Planning attorney, the usual response is "oh that's nice." The after a pause, they ask, "So what is it that you actually do? What exactly IS estate planning?" The short answer that I usually...
Estate Planning
Estate Planning 102: Probate
The second part of the Wikipedia definition explains that Estate Planning "attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate . . ."Probate? This sounds complicated. Will it hurt?? Well, only a little bit. (Just kidding . . . sort of). Seriously...
Estate Planning 103: Taxes
As the saying goes, there is nothing certain in life except death and taxes. Although you cannot fend off death, you can make arrangements on how to reduce the amount of estate taxes you will pay upon your death. Which leads me to the final part of the Wikipedia...