Michigan Estate Planning Blog

Top Benefits of Estate Planning

Despite the hard lessons learned during the COVID pandemic, surveys repeatedly show most Americans still don’t have an estate plan in place. According to the article “Five benefits of estate planning” from The Aspen Times, a comprehensive estate plan ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes when you die, minimizes taxes on your estate and protects your loved ones, especially those who depend on you financially. In addition, estate planning protects you while you are living and ensures that your wishes are followed, if you become incapacitated.

Protect Yourself and Your Assets During Your Lifetime. No one likes to consider themselves at risk of incapacity. However, this happens. If you become mentally or physically incapacitated during your lifetime, you might not be able to earn income, or make decisions for yourself. Part of an estate plan includes documents to address these risks to protect yourself, your family and your assets.

Designating a health care proxy and a power of attorney gives people you choose the ability to make decisions on your behalf. Otherwise, the responsibility for your medical, legal and financial decisions may go to someone you don’t even know.

Asset Distribution. Without a last will, your home state’s laws govern the distribution of your assets. Your intentions to care for certain individuals won’t be relevant, as the law itself decides who gets what. A last will is used to state exactly how you want assets to be distributed. Your last will should be updated as your financial situation and/or family dynamics change. You should also review designated beneficiaries on investment accounts and insurance policies regularly and especially after any major life changes.

Minimize Transfer Taxes. While there’s no way to predict what taxes will take effect in the future, it’s safe to assume there will be taxes on your estate. If you hope to leave wealth of any size to your family, proper estate planning is crucial. There are many different strategies to minimize taxes on inherited wealth, including life insurance, Roth IRA conversions, lifetime giving and trusts. Your estate planning attorney will be able to create a plan suited for your unique situation.

Protect Family Wealth. As people accumulate wealth, they often become the targets of frivolous lawsuits. For this reason, placing assets in certain types of trusts can ensure efficient wealth transfer, as well as protecting assets from predators and creditors.

Create and Continue a Legacy. Legacy planning is part of the estate planning process. Many people donate money or assets on their death to causes they supported during their lifetime. These goals can be achieved by contributing to a donor advised fund, creating a family foundation or setting up a philanthropic trust.

Creating an estate plan is also a useful tool for having candid discussions with the family about the future, avoiding future conflicts and making your estate administration easier for loved ones.

Reference: The Aspen Times (Jan. 24, 2023) “Five benefits of estate planning”

Why Does Everyone Need an Estate Plan?

Twenty and thirty-year olds are busy building their lives, starting or growing careers, exploring personal goals, repaying student loans and maybe starting a family. They’re young and healthy and think nothing can happen to them—but that’s not true. A recent article from Kiplinger titled “You’re Not Too Young for an Estate Plan: 7 Essentials for Your 20s and 30s” explains why even a twenty-year old with student loans needs an estate plan.

Student loans. Federal student loans discharge upon death, so no further payments are needed, including any federal Parent PLUS loans parents may have taken out. However, for private student loans, the decision is up to the lender. If the private loan was taken out by the student, the institution may forgive the loan. However, if a parent or another adult co-signed the loan, they might be responsible for paying the entire loan. The exception: if the loan was made after November 20, 2018, the co-signer may be protected by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act. If you took out loans after getting married, the surviving spouse is likely to be required to pay the loan if they co-signed the loan or if you live in a community property state.

 

Health Care Directive and Health Care Power of Attorney. The Health Care Directive is used to tell your family what you would want if you were near death, whether by injury or illness. Healthcare providers are obligated to follow your directions if they are stated in this document. Without it, you could be kept on life support for many years, regardless of what your family wants.

 

A Health Care Power of Attorney is used to name someone you trust to act as your “agent,” if you become incapacitated. This document is focused on your care and medical treatments. It also lets your agent speak with your health insurance company, obtain access to medical records and discuss your care with healthcare providers.

 

Last Will and Testament. This document isn’t just for people with homes, families, and retirement accounts. Young people have property too—your car, your personal possessions, and whatever financial resources you may have accumulated. If you have a will, you can direct who you want to receive what you own. Without one, the court will decide who gets your possessions and your family won’t have any say about it. With a will, you can determine who receives your property, including your digital assets. You’ll also name an executor in the will—the person who is in charge of distributing your property. An estate planning attorney will create a document to comply with your state’s laws. It doesn’t have to be a complicated document, but it is a good way to ensure your loved ones know your wishes.

 

Retirement Accounts and Beneficiaries. These accounts may not be as robust as they will be later in your life. However, they are still yours. Make sure that you have named beneficiaries who you want to receive them if you die. Singles may name a sibling, parents, partner, or another family member to receive these assets.

 

Digital Assets. A digital life means you need a digital estate plan. Creating an inventory list of all of your digital accounts, usernames and passwords. If an account has two-factor authentication, indicate how another person might gain access to the account. Don’t include any of this information in your will, as it becomes a public document after being submitted to the court for probate. Tell a trusted family member where the inventory is located. If you own cryptocurrency, research how crypto assets are passed if the original owner dies.

 

Guardianship. Your will is used to name a guardian for minor children. Without it, the court will appoint a guardian, and it may not be the family member you wish it would be.

 

Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends. You can add a pet guardianship clause to a will to ensure that your pet stays with a trusted friend or family member who has agreed to care for your pet. You can also set up a pet trust to set aside funds for your pet’s care, including food, veterinary visits, toys, training and treats.

 

Reference: Kiplinger (Aug. 22, 2022) “You’re Not Too Young for an Estate Plan: 7 Essentials for Your 20s and 30s”

Some Key Documents Should Be Considered Before Sending Your Child Off to College

In the United States, as soon as a minor turns 18, they’re typically considered a legal adult.

As a result, parents no longer have any authority to make decisions for their child, including financial and health care decisions.

Yahoo’s recent article entitled “Don’t Let Your Child Leave for College Without Signing Three Critical Documents” asks what if your adult child becomes sick or is in an accident and ends up hospitalized?

Because of privacy laws, known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you wouldn’t have any rights to get any information from the hospital regarding your child's condition.

Yes, we know you’re her mother. However, that’s the law!

You also wouldn’t have the ability to access his or her medical records or intercede on your child's behalf regarding medical treatment and care.

If your child’s unable to communicate with doctors, you’d also have to ask a judge to appoint you as your child’s guardian before being able to be told of his or her condition and to make any healthcare decisions for them.

While this is hard when your child is still living at home, it’s a huge headache if your child is attending college away from home.

However, there’s a relatively easy fix to address this issue:

Ask an experienced estate planning attorney about drafting three legal documents for your child to sign:

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Health Care. This document designates the parent as your child's patient advocate.

A HIPAA Authorization gives you access to your child’s medical records and lets you to discuss his or her health condition with doctors.

A DPOA for Financial Matters, designates the parent as your child's agent, so that you can manage your child's financial affairs, including things like banking and bill paying, in case your child becomes sick or injured, or is unable to act for any reason.

Reference: Yahoo (Aug. 2, 2022) “Don’t Let Your Child Leave for College Without Signing Three Critical Documents”

Should I Discuss Estate Planning with My Children?

US News & World Report’s recent article entitled “Discuss Your Estate Plan With Your Children” says that staying up-to-date with your estate plan and sharing your plans with your children could make a big impact on your legacy and what you’ll pay in estate taxes. Let’s look at why you should consider talking to your children about estate planning.
People frequently create an estate plan and name their child as the trustee or executor. However, they fail to discuss the role and what’s involved with them. Ask your kids if they’re comfortable acting as the executor, trustee, or power of attorney. Review what each of the roles involves and explain the responsibilities. The estate documents state some critical responsibilities but don’t provide all the details. Having your children involved in the process and getting their buy-in will be a big benefit in the future.
Share information about valuables stored in a fireproof safe or add their name to the safety deposit box. Tell them about your accounts at financial institutions and the titling of the various accounts, so that these accounts aren’t forgotten, and bills get paid when you’re not around.
Parents can get children involved with a meeting with their estate planning attorney to review the estate plan and pertinent duties of each child. If they have questions, an experienced estate planning attorney can answer them in the context of the overall estate plan.
If children are minors, invite the successor trustee to also be part of the meeting.
Explain what you own, what type of accounts you have and how they’re treated from a tax perspective.
Discussing your estate plan with your children provides a valuable opportunity to connect with your loved ones, even after you are gone. An individual’s attitudes about money says much about his or her values.
Sharing with your children what your money means to you, and why you are speaking with them about it, will help guide them in honoring your memory.
There are many personal reasons to discuss your estate plans with your children. While it’s a simple step, it’s not easy to have this conversation. However, the pandemic emphasized the need to not procrastinate when it comes to estate planning. It’s also provided an opportunity to discuss these estate plans with your children.
Reference: US News & World Report (Feb. 17, 2021) “Discuss Your Estate Plan With Your Children”

What Estate Planning Documents Should I Have when I Retire?

Research shows that most retirees (53%) have a last will and testament. However, they don’t have six other crucial legal documents.

Money Talks News’ recent article entitled “6 Legal Documents Retirees Need — but Don’t Have” says in fact, in this pandemic, 30% of retirees have none of these crucial documents — not even a will — according to the 20th annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Retirees.

In addition, the Transamerica survey found the following among retirees:

• 32% have a power of attorney or medical proxy, which allows a designated agent to make medical decisions on their behalf
• 30% have an advance directive or living will, which states their end-of-life medical preferences to health care providers
• 28% have designated a power of attorney to make financial decisions in their stead
• 19% have written funeral and burial arrangements
• 18% have filled out a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) waiver, which allows designated people to talk to their health care and insurance providers on their behalf; and
• 11% have created a trust.

The study shows there is a big gap that retirees need to fill, if they want to be properly prepared for the end of their lives.

The coronavirus pandemic has created an even more challenging situation. Retirees can and should be taking more actions to protect their health and financial well-being. However, they may find it hard while sheltering in place.

Now more than ever, seniors may need extra motivation and support from their families and friends.

The Transamerica results shouldn’t shock anyone. That is because we have a long history of disregarding death, and very important estate planning questions. No one really wants to ponder their ultimate demise, when they can be out enjoying themselves.

However, planning your estate now will give you peace of mind. More importantly, this planning can save your heirs and loved ones a lot of headaches and stress, when you pass away.

Talk to an experienced estate planning attorney today to get your plan going.

Reference: Money Talks News (Dec. 16, 2020) “6 Legal Documents Retirees Need — but Don’t Have”

A Plea To Put It Down On Paper

It can be hard to appreciate the kind of frustration a family can go through when someone’s affairs are not in order and the time comes. On the other hand, if you have been there and done that, or have seen it second hand, then you know what I mean. There are simply a lot of plans that need to be made, because there are a lot of things that can go wrong. For an impassioned voice on the matter and some advice you should heed, be sure to read a recent commentary published in The Washington Post titled “Put your estate plan on paper before it’s too late.” The author recounts her own experience with her mother, who wasn’t even suffering from old age. Her mother was moved to critical condition after an accident. Unfortunately, the author was left on the other side of a legal wall caused by the lack of a financial durable power of attorney and healthcare directive that might have allowed her to come to aid. Worse still, the mother had actively put-off or refused committing her wishes to paper, and that’s why there was no legal recourse. If you or a loved one have not committed your financial durable power of attorney and healthcare directive wishes to paper, then here’s one more story to remind you why they are so important. We plan because there is a reason for certain privacy, healthcare and even probate. It is our own personal responsibility. If nothing else, we plan because when the time comes there are more important things to think about, like the comfort of an ailing loved one or the memory of a recently passed one. The original article spells out the basics and brings the need to complete your own plan clearly into focus.

Reference: The Washington Post (March 20, 2014) “Put your estate plan on paper before it’s too late”

For more information, see www.jerryreiflawyer.com

A Plea To Put It Down On Paper

It can be hard to appreciate the kind of frustration a family can go through when someone’s affairs are not in order and the time comes. On the other hand, if you have been there and done that, or have seen it second hand, then you know what I mean. There are simply a lot of plans that need to be made, because there are a lot of things that can go wrong. For an impassioned voice on the matter and some advice you should heed, be sure to read a recent commentary published in The Washington Post titled “Put your estate plan on paper before it’s too late.” The author recounts her own experience with her mother, who wasn’t even suffering from old age. Her mother was moved to critical condition after an accident. Unfortunately, the author was left on the other side of a legal wall caused by the lack of a financial durable power of attorney and healthcare directive that might have allowed her to come to aid. Worse still, the mother had actively put-off or refused committing her wishes to paper, and that’s why there was no legal recourse. If you or a loved one have not committed your financial durable power of attorney and healthcare directive wishes to paper, then here’s one more story to remind you why they are so important. We plan because there is a reason for certain privacy, healthcare and even probate. It is our own personal responsibility. If nothing else, we plan because when the time comes there are more important things to think about, like the comfort of an ailing loved one or the memory of a recently passed one. The original article spells out the basics and brings the need to complete your own plan clearly into focus.

Reference: The Washington Post (March 20, 2014) “Put your estate plan on paper before it’s too late”

For more information, see www.jerryreiflawyer.com

ESTATE PLANNING / POWER OF ATTORNEY

Some people who thought they had covered all their bases and acted responsibly to care for loved ones in the event of a debilitating illness or incapacity are finding their plans un-done by strict banking policies. Bank of America recently updated their online security procedures, and no longer accepts a power of attorney for online banking. As Bernard Krooks wrote last week for Forbes, this strict policy came to light when Chicago resident Eva Kripke was blocked from accessing her husband’s Bank of America account. According to Krooks, Mrs. Kripke had been handling her husband Sidney’s bank accounts as agent under a power of attorney ever since he was diagnosed with Lew body dementia four years ago. Suddenly now, however, she is denied access under the bank’s updated security procedures. The bank suggested she to go to her local branch and get a printout of her husband’s account information. Unfortunately, Mrs. Kripke felt this was unacceptable because her husband’s health status requires close financial oversight. Perhaps more unfortunate, her options are limited because her husband’s illness has rendered him incompetent. Rules such as these are becoming increasingly prevalent and significant as more people are called upon to care for an aging population and their attendant disabilities. An experienced elder law attorney can provide guidance in situations where powers of attorney are limited. You can learn more about powers of attorney in the Fundamental Estate Planning Practice Center on our website. Reference: Forbes – Bernard A. Krooks (July 7, 2011) “Power of Attorney Does Not Grant Access to Online Banking, Says Bank of America”

ELDER LAW / ELDER CARE

If you, your parent, or an elderly loved one is reaching the point where living alone is no longer an option – for medical reasons or otherwise – it may be time to consider some time of assisted living, whether nursing home or retirement community Increasingly, many families are looking at the “Continuing Care Retirement Community” or CCRC option. Even though the CCRC may be the pricier option, a little-known tax strategy recently explained in Smart Money could make it more financially attractive.. What is a CCRC? As SmartMoney explains: As opposed to a traditional nursing home where you simply pay a monthly fee, residents enter into a long-term contract with a CCRC. In exchange for a one-time entry fee and ongoing monthly charges, the CCRC provides housing and a range of on-site services. When a resident's health and personal care needs become more acute, the level of service can be increased to include assisted living, long-term care and skilled nursing care. The big advantage is that the resident doesn't have to move as his or her needs change. Interestingly, there is another advantage: a potential tax savings. Because part of the upfront and ongoing fees is to provide medical services – whether the resident uses them or not – a medical tax deduction may be available. This strategy was upheld in the 2004 Tax Court case, Delbert L. Baker v. Commissioner (122 TC 143, 2004). Of course, medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income in order to claim the deduction. However, if you are considering a CCRC, it’s quite possible that your applicable expenses will exceed this threshold, since their fees, including the upfront buy-in, are usually quite high. Remember, too, that the percentage of costs that qualify as medical is determined by the aggregated spending of the facility itself, rather than the individual and their level of received care. The CCRC management should be able to give you estimates of the percentages, though you may have to ask for them. Also of note, remember that if you will pay some or all of your parent’s CCRC fees, you can claim the applicable percentage of the charges as a medical expense on your return – if you provide more than half of your parent’s support. Also, the IRS says these tax breaks apply only if the person enters into a CCRC-like contractual lifetime care arrangement, not just any retirement facility or nursing home. You can learn more about long-term care planning on our website. Also, be sure to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter for regular updates

Reference: SmartMoney (June 15, 2011) “A Tax Break for Retirement Community Costs”

ESTATE PLANNING / HEALTH CARE DOCUMENTS

National Health Care Decisions Day is set for April 16. According to their website, this initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions.

 Link: http://www.nhdd.org/

 From National Health Care Decisions Day (April 16, 2011)

ELDER LAW / PRIVATE HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE

When a medical issue strikes you or your family, the world starts spinning a bit faster and begins to bear down hard. Even the best of us can’t always keep our heads above the rising tide of bureaucracy, legal snares, and other issues that can arise in the event of a medical-billings problem or an insurance coverage denial. A private health care advocate might be an option worth exploring, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch. An advocate cannot offer medical advice or address legal issues (like malpractice lawsuits) but they can help resolve medical billing problems, fight insurance-coverage denials, aid in complex medical decision-making and find the right specialist or hospital for a particular condition. Some even accompany patients to doctors’ offices and other care settings. Many are or were nurses or social workers – and can help push through a problem when you really need assistance or guidance. Most hospitals employ similar representatives that can help during your stay, but private advocates are often small businesses that can be called upon in far more circumstances. Advocates typically charge $50 to $200 an hour, says Joanna Smith, president of the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC), a professional group in Berkeley, CA. If you are looking to hire a health-care advocate, you should expect a written estimate of costs and services, and feel comfortable with the advocate’s style, experience and expertise before signing on. The NAHAC has designed a code of ethics, which you can find on their website. Be sure to ask about those when interviewing an advocate

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/private-health-care-advocates-offer-other-options-2011-04-18

 From MarketWatch (April 17, 2011) “Private Health-Care Advocates Offer Other Options”

ELDER LAW / NON-FAMILY CAREGIVERS

As it turns out, Sophia, Blanche, Dorothy and Rose were ahead of their time! Yes, those Golden Girls of the 1980s were on to something that has become a growing trend of aging baby boomers. When the four savvy women decided to move in together and build a sort of ad-hoc “family,” they were simply doing (more than three decades ago) what an increasing number of seniors are doing, or considering doing, today.

Sociologists and popular social critics alike have been discussing the erosion of the nuclear family for years but here is a new twist: what is to become of those seniors who aging outside the nuclear family? Bernard Krooks of Forbes  recently offered some valuable insight, and food for thought.

The baby-boomers are just starting to enter retirement and they are far more likely than previous generations to have remained childless throughout life. Many never actually married, and others have already lost their spouses. What will happen to these people if they become disabled, incapacitated, or develop a chronic illness?

Most in-home care for the elderly is performed by family members. Hospital stays are getting shorter, driven by cost-saving initiatives, making it even more likely that these seniors will need outside help at some point in their lives.

Without family, seniors can only turn to friends, paid caregivers, or government-sponsored social services. Of course, paid caregivers are difficult for many seniors to afford, and government-programs present their own challenges, especially in light of recent budget cuts.

Unfortunately, friends are not currently accorded the same status as family members by a legal system that has always made the assumption of a nuclear family. There is an emerging movement, though, that seeks to change that. Some legal scholars are espousing the establishment of “friendship law,” which would confer certain rights upon “designated friends” who play a significant caregiver role – including hospital visitation, tax breaks and claims to an estate if no will has been established.

One thing we never saw the Golden Girls do was consult an attorney about their various “rights” to caring for one another. There was one episode, though, when Rose suffered a heart attack and the girls were not allowed to visit her in the hospital because they were not actual family members. A good elder law attorney might have helped the girls sort through some of those legal issues in advance.

By the way, you can watch portions of Rose’s “Heart Attack” episode on YouTube: http://youtu.be/xx3CMHpBLu8.

Link: http://blogs.forbes.com/bernardkrooks/2011/04/11/aging-outside-the-nuclear-family/

 From Forbes.com (April 11, 2011) “Aging Outside the Nuclear Family”

SMALL BUSINESS / HEALTH REPORT

If you’re a small business owner, you probably already know that things are not exactly hunky-dory in the business world, but that they are starting to get better. You know this from your own experience, and perhaps a few discussions with your accountant or tax advisor. However, it may be comforting to know that your instincts are probably right, and verified by a couple of recently released key research reports. The National Small Business Association (NSBA) released their 2010 Year-End Economic Report this month and – as you probably already guessed – the news is mixed. Small business owners seem a little more optimistic than they were six months ago. Almost two-thirds of them expect economic growth to be flat this year, and only 13 percent say they anticipate a double-dip recession. Two-thirds express confidence in their own firms and 15 percent say they are growing now. A whopping 40 percent are reporting increased revenues, and for the first time since 2008, a majority of small business owners (54 percent) expect their revenues to improve this year. The Small Business Association (SBA) also this month released their report on Small Business Lending in the U.S. Small business lending fell 6.2 percent last year, while large firm lending declined by 8.9 percent. I bet these numbers aren’t surprising to most small business owners. Overall, the numbers report a mixed economic bag for small business owners across the board. Again, probably not earth-shattering news for business owners, but rather confirmation of what you likely are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. And, since it’s Friday, perhaps a good enough reason to celebrate!

Link: http://www.businessinsider.com/latest-small-business-research-the-news-is-not-too-bad-2011-3

 From Business Insider (March 10, 2011) “Latest Small Business Research: The News is Not Too Bad”

ESTATE PLANNING / HEALTH CARE DOCUMENTS

National Health Care Decisions Day is set for April 16. According to their website, this initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. You also can learn more on their Facebook Page. You can learn more about Health Care Documents – also known as advance directives or health care proxies – on our website.

Link: http://www.nhdd.org/

 From National Health Care Decisions Day (April 16, 2011)

ESTATE PLANNING / HEALTH CARE DOCUMENTS

From National Health Care Decisions Day (April 16, 2011) National Health Care Decisions Day is set for April 16. According to their website, this initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. You also can learn more on their Facebook Page. You can learn more about Health Care Documents – also known as advance directives or health care proxies – on our website.

 Link: http://www.nhdd.org/

 

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