2024 Election Results: Implications for Estate Planning and Tax Legislation
The results from the 2024 election are in, and although we still have weeks remaining before the 119th Congress takes office and the new president is inaugurated, there is some clarity about an election that has been called the most important in our lifetime and even in US history. Each election brings about the possibility […]
It Is About the OUTCOME…
We Survived Another Year! The Varelas survived another year of family photos! Each year – it is chaos and a lot of work! Orchestrating the outfits and getting everyone there on time and with their hair combed and clothes wrinkle-free! It takes a lot of work, but each year, I am so grateful for the […]
No Matter What Happens Today
Regardless of whether Harris or Trump get elected today… you will continue to work hard for your family and to protect those you love. Yes, there are many key issues for this election. Of course, I encourage you to get out and vote today. But regardless of who wins, remember that your legacy remains in […]
A House Divided ⚾️
We Are a House Divided this World Series! My father is a BIG Yankee fan because while he was a child growing up in Cuba, the Yankees was the only team they could watch in Cuba so it embodied American baseball for him! Because of my dad’s love (obsession really) with the Yankees, I decided to […]
Did You Choose More Than One Successor Trustee?
When selecting a successor trustee for a trust, it is common for the individual who creates the trust (the trustmaker) to choose one person to serve as a successor trustee at a time. Some attorneys routinely recommend that only a single successor trustee be appointed to avoid the potential for conflicts between co-trustees during trust […]
Keeping the Peace After You Are Gone
Planning With an Aim Towards Building Unity A will or trust contest can wreak havoc on families. The conflict can result in possibly irreparable resentment and loss of familial communication. Old rivalries and disputes can resurface during the trying time that occurs after the death of a loved one, especially a parent. But careful estate […]
Lessons in Estate Planning from Rain Man
Rain Man is one of the most iconic American movies of the 1980s. Starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, it won four Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and was the highest-grossing film of 1988. Although secondary to the main plot, several estate planning threads run through Rain Man, including those related to trusts, beneficiaries, and how […]
Wealth, Legacy, and Family Drama: Inside The Descendants
Picture this: You are standing on a piece of land that has been in your family for generations and has been handed down through a trust. The land is imbued with memories from your childhood, your children, and family gatherings. You want to keep the land in the family for years to come. However, the […]
An Estate Plan Is Your Script to a Lasting Legacy
“We are all storytellers, and we are the stories we tell,” wrote American psychologist Dan McAdams. Narrative thinking refers to how we view our own role in the story of our lives. It is a more formal way of describing “main character energy” or “main character syndrome,” two terms that originated on social media to […]
Matthew Perry’s Estate Plan: The Lasting Impact of Trusts
The recent passing of beloved actor Matthew Perry, known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in Friends, has sparked conversations about the importance of estate planning. Reports suggest that Perry’s estate included a trust, a strategic choice that offers key benefits for both the wealthy and everyday individuals. Matthew Perry’s Estate and the Role […]
