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Estate Planning Checklist: 5 Initial Steps You Can Take
Most of us spend little time thinking about death or losing the capacity to manage our own affairs. These are unpleasant topics and...
Richard N. Barnes


IRS Announces 2025 Gift and Estate Tax Exemptions
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released its tax inflation adjustment figures for tax year 2025. Annual Gift Tax Exclusion...
Richard N. Barnes


Proper Estate Planning Reduces Issues of Probate
Probate is a legal process that happens after someone dies. While probate can be complex, lengthy, and expensive, an estate planning...
Richard N. Barnes


What Is a Trustee in Estate Planning?
A trustee is the person or institution appointed to manage a trust on behalf of beneficiaries of the trust. Being a trustee is a...
Richard N. Barnes


Why Trusts Are Important Estate Planning Tools
Estate planning involves creating a plan for where – and to whom – your assets will go upon your death. The process can include making a...
Richard N. Barnes


11 Reasons You Need to Create an Estate Plan
Many people believe estate plans are only for extremely wealthy families who are looking to reap tax benefits. Or they may delay estate...
Richard N. Barnes


New Year's Resolution: Get That Estate Plan Done
Visiting your attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year's resolution that you should definitely keep. None of us knows...
Richard N. Barnes


Do You Need a Trust?
According to the 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Survey by Caring.com, only 34 percent of Americans have an estate plan. The primary...
Richard N. Barnes


Are Wills Public Record?
Wills contain important information about who receives money, possessions, and property upon a person’s death. Who can view this...
Richard N. Barnes


How often should you review and update your will and trust?
This is a question that I often get asked. A common response you might see is "at least every 5 years," but really, you should review...
Richard N. Barnes


Mom and dad left me in charge of their estate. Now what do I do?
What do I do with the Will? What if there is a Trust? Do I have to go to court? What happens after Mom and Dad pass away and you are...
Richard N. Barnes


What Is A Trust? Do I Need One?
Find out the difference between an Will and a Trust and which is right for you. People often ask, “What is a trust? Are they only for...
Richard N. Barnes


Passing Real Estate To Your Children
How to avoid costly mistakes and save thousands in taxes Occasionally, parents believe that a simple way of transferring their home to...
Richard N. Barnes
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