Archive for January 2017
Michael’s Estate Estimated at More Than $100 Million
Several of George Michael’s godchildren are expected to receive large inheritances. The estate of George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day, is beginning to come to light, according to the Daily Mail in “George Michael’s £100M fortune ‘will go to his Godchildren’: Offspring of his celebrity friends could inherit tens of millions EACH after…
Read MoreTrump Taking Office Is Likely to Result in Medicare Changes
Changes in Medicare are likely under President Trump’s administration but the changes could turn out to be positive. While many are concerned that President Trump’s choice of U.S. Rep. Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services would create massive changes for Medicare recipients, there are also opportunities for positive changes, according to NJ.com…
Read MoreWill Wealth Concentration Fears Impact Estate Tax Debate?
A new study in the United Kingdom provides insight into new thinking about the social justice of estate, inheritance or “death” taxes. Income inequality and wealth concentration are more than just media headlines describing the latest protest movement. These terms are seemingly everywhere today: from the work of economist Thomas Pikkety, to the Occupy Wall…
Read MorePalliative Care May Preserve Dignity for Terminal Patients
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. When he was a sophomore in college, B.J. Miller went…
Read MoreWill a Trump Presidency Finally Kill Off the Estate Tax?
Our new President promised to kill the estate tax. Will he really do it? While campaigning for the presidency, Donald Trump repeatedly said he would eliminate the federal estate tax. Most Republicans in Congress share his position. Now that Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have the power to do away with the estate tax, the…
Read MoreIs It Time to Review Your Estate Plan?
Estate planning is a lifetime process. Changes in the law, your finances or family circumstances mean that it’s time for a review. Whenever you have a significant change in your life circumstances, you should come back in and review your estate plan. Remember, estate planning is not a once-and-done transaction, but a lifetime process. However,…
Read MoreAnother Celebrity Estate Fight Brewing?
Boxer Muhammad Ali’s family may be the next ones in the estate fight ring. Muhammad Ali, who passed away last year after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease, has been frequently dubbed “the greatest fighter of all time.” While Ali can no longer fight, his family still can and it appears they are going to,…
Read MoreEven a Minor Mistake in an Estate Plan Can Cause Major Problems
Some mistakes in estate planning for celebrities draw little notice but can still be a major problem. Celebrity deaths and estates can sometimes be the subject of headline after headline such as the estates of Robin Williams, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. The estates are well-known because of the mistakes in the plan and the…
Read MoreA Celebrity’s Death Often Increases Sales of Their Work
The passing of Debbie Reynolds puts Singin’ In The Rain into top seller position. Singin’ In The Rain recently became the bestselling DVD on Amazon and was placed on iTunes’ New and Noteworthy list, according to TMZ in “Debbie Reynolds Singin’ In The Gains Death Causes Spike In Sales, Searches.” This comes as no surprise…
Read MoreBusiness in Ghana Will Customize Your Coffin
A coffin no longer has to have a basic rectangular shape. The standard rectangular coffin no longer has to be the norm due to the focus of a business in Ghana, according to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in “The First Family of Custom Coffins.” A family in Ghana is in the business…
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