Starting January 1, 2026, the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption will rise to $15 million per person, or $30 million for married couples, indexed for inflation. This exemption is permanent, unlike past provisions that were set to expire, offering long-term planning certainty. However, the 40% top tax rate remains in…
Estate Planning
An Estate Planning Checklist for Getting Your Affairs in Order. Are you Prepared?
Getting your affairs in order may not be a comfortable topic, but it is an important legacy you can leave your spouse, children and other loved ones. By organizing your financial, legal, and personal matters now, you reduce stress, expenses and confusion later. A solid estate plan ensures your wishes are respected, your legacy preserved,…
Why You Should Never Overlook Your Estate Plan
Estate planning is often misunderstood or overlooked by individuals and families, yet it is a critical process that ensures your assets and wishes are managed and honored after your death or in the event of incapacity. It can be overlooked but sometimes this comes as a cost to your family and your heirs. Understanding what…
Proactive Estate Planning Steps to Prepare For Cognitive Decline
Estate planning is important for everyone, but it becomes even more essential as we age and face the possibility of cognitive decline. The recent case of Jay Leno seeking conservatorship over his wife Mavis Leno highlights the importance of proactive estate planning. With proper planning, such difficult and costly legal procedures can often be avoided.…
Don’t Risk Your Legacy; Americans are Ignoring Their Estate Plan and Fewer People are Writing Wills and Trusts Post Pandemic
As the pandemic fades from view, and life returns to “normal,” fewer Americans are drafting wills and trusts, this is according to a new survey, and research indicating a decline in concerns about mortality. The 2024 Wills and Estate Planning Study from Caring.com reveals that only 32% of adults have a will, down from 34%…
Don’t Forget the Importance of Estate Planning When it Comes to Divorce
At Amaral & Associates P.C. We are focused on two main areas, Family Law and Estate Planning. We can help your family plan for the future so that in the case of an unexpected illness or unexpected family member’s passing, most everything can be taken care of with some advance planning. Health challenges aren’t the…
How to Avoid Estate Planning Issues with Step-Families by Using a Prenuptial Agreement
Blended families are becoming increasingly common, but they often bring with them unique challenges, especially when it comes to estate planning and dealing with the intentions of heirs and a parent’s intentions. One of the biggest problems arises when one of the spouses dies and leaves everything to the other. When the surviving spouse dies,…
Have you Made Estate Planning Decisions for the Care of Your Pets?
Pets have become like family members. They give us that unconditional love that we often crave. Often they are the primary companion for those who do not have families. Increasingly people want to make sure that both their pets and family are taken care of after they are gone. A way to do that is…
Do not Put Off Your Estate Plan (It Could Cost You and Your Loved Ones.)
How many times have you said to yourself, “I need to get my estate plan done.” Well you are not alone according to a recent survey on Estate Planning. Although most people agree that estate planning is very important, only about three out of ten people actually have an estate plan. A recent survey from…
Estate Planning Considerations for Women
In a shifting landscape where financial independence and individual choices take center stage, a growing number of older women are choosing to remain single. The phenomenon of women staying single, whether by choice or through circumstances like divorce or widowhood, is gaining momentum. According to a recent Washington Post article, women who more advanced in…
You must be logged in to post a comment.