Category Archives: Beneficiary

Life Estate Versus Right of Occupancy Trust

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Planning for the future complicates life. This is especially true if you want to make sure that a loved one continues living comfortably after you die. Two common tools for accomplishing this are life estates and right of occupancy trusts. A life estate grants someone the legal right to live in a home for the rest of their […]

AB Trusts—A Powerful Estate Planning Strategy for Married Couples

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Estate Planning Fundamentals: Why AB Trusts Matter Estate planning represents one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family’s future. While many people understand the basics of wills and simple trusts, specialized tools like AB Trusts often remain misunderstood despite their significant benefits. For married couples concerned about preserving assets for […]

Legacy Questions to Address in Your Estate Plan

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Estate planning involves more than asset allocation. It is about preserving your legacy and ensuring your values continue to impact your loved ones long after you’re gone. At Skvarna Law Firm, we understand that a comprehensive estate plan should reflect not only your financial wishes but also your life lessons, experiences, and hopes for future […]

SLATs: Spousal Lifetime Asset Trusts

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Estate planning is more than just a legal process; it’s a profound expression of love and care for your family’s future. While traditional gifts are fleeting, smart estate planning tools can make a lasting impact on your loved ones’ financial security. Let’s explore how you can protect your wealth and your spouse with effective estate […]

Debts After Death

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Americans are, quite literally, getting buried in debt, with nearly half expecting to pass away with outstanding debts. As a rule, a person’s debts do not go away when they die. Some types of debt, such as federal student loans, are typically forgiven upon the debtor’s death. However, private loans and cosigned account holders may […]

Richard Simmons: Celebrity Estates

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Fitness icon Richard Simmons, known for his flamboyant personality, high energy, and trademark attire. He passed away in July 2024 following a fall at his Los Angeles home. A legal dispute lingers between his longtime housekeeper, Teresa Reveles Muro, and his brother, Leonard (Lenny) Simmons. The estate of the Sweatin’ to the Oldies star is […]

Celebrity Estates: James Earl Jones

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These words, uttered by James Earl Jones in his voice-over role as Darth Vader, are indelible in the minds of Star Wars fans. People know Jones also for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King and a series of cable news promotions in which he declared, “This is CNN.” 

Divorce & Celebrity Estates: Shannen Doherty  

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According to a stipulated agreement with Iswarienko, Doherty’s estate was able to retain the couple’s home in Malibu, California; a Salvador Dali painting; several cars; and all earnings from her acting. In addition, as part of the divorce proceedings, she had filed an income and expense declaration stating that she had $251,000 in the bank; another $1,880,000 in stocks and bonds; and insurance money from a lawsuit over damage done to her California home. She also stated that she had real property worth $3 million and $134,000 in a pension fund.

Personal Property in an Estate

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In cases where more than one family member is interested in the same item, the best-case scenario is that they can reach a peaceful resolution, perhaps involving trading other sought-after items. If there is an impasse, beneficiaries could sell the item in question and divide the proceeds equally. Another option is for one beneficiary to buy out the other beneficiary’s interest in the item. They could also draw straws or flip a coin. The solution may depend on whether the dispute is over a single item, like a ring, or over multiple items, resulting in a breakdown in the peaceful division of items.