Finalizing a divorce settlement is often viewed as the end of a legal process, but ideally it should also be a time to review your finances. Your estate plan represents an important part of your financial plan. While a divorce agreement divides assets and establishes financial obligations between former spouses, your estate planning documents determine…
Estate Planning
Why National Estate Planning Awareness Week Is a Good Time to Start Planning for the Future
Dear Clients and Friends, Every year during the third week of October, the nation recognizes National Estate Planning Awareness Week — a timely reminder of the importance of preparing for the future and protecting your loved ones. Created in 2008 by the U.S. House of Representatives, National Estate Planning Week aims to raise awareness about…
What the “One Big, Beautiful, Bill Act” Means for Your Estate Plan
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…
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…
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