The U.S. Attorney General and law enforcement partners announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. The cases involve more than two hundred and fifty defendants from around the globe who victimized more than a million Americans, most of whom were elderly. The cases include criminal, civil, and forfeiture actions across more than […]
Author Archives: Skvarna Law
How Much to Share and With Whom As the tax deadline quickly approaches, you’ve probably been working on your tax returns. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t feel comfortable sharing the details of your tax documents. But, your estate plan is an important part of making sure your affairs are in order. So, […]
According to a recent a report by Bankrate, 20 percent of Americans are not saving for their day-to day lives, let alone retirement. This, despite the fact unemployment is low and wages are increasing. With so many workers failing to set aside cash, many will face shortfalls of operational cash in the event of an […]
“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Since wisdom means that you realize the finite nature of life, living well calls for careful estate planning. As Baby Boomers age, they discover the realities associated with aging:
Some financial articles insist that a will is not the best way to leave assets to heirs. But why is that? Won’t scribbling something on a napkin work? Wills often lead to long and expensive court proceedings. Countless other more-efficient ways could be used, all of which more effectively pass property to family. Why a […]
With probate court, the rules and processes differ depending on the deceased’s state of residence. If your loved one lives in California, this is what you should know: What is Probate?
What to Do After a Death If you’ve been appointed an executor of a loved one’s estate, or a successor trustee, and that person dies, your grief – not to mention your death to do list, could be long. With tasks ranging from planning the funeral, to coordinating relatives coming in from out of town […]
In estate planning circles, the word “probate” holds the same status as the terms “disease” or “illness” in the medical world. The reason for this reaction — especially with people who have larger than average estates — is because financial planners do their utmost to keep clients’ properties from going to probate whenever possible. Nevertheless, […]
Incorporating Life Changes in Estate Planning The condition of media titan Sumner Redstone has warranted media headlines because of his declining health. At issue are the actions of his formerly estranged daughter, Shari Redstone. She made choices that some say her father would object to if he was mentally acute. Other family members raise legal […]
Ambrose Bierce once observed, “Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” Dark as his comment was, it is true. Ideally, when someone dies, estate attorneys process the paperwork and material concerns associated with the estate flawlessly. This allows the family to grieve and remember their loved one in peace. In […]