What Is the HEMS Standard?
The ‘HEMS’ (health, education, maintenance, support) standard in estate planning is used to guide trustees in how/when they should release funds to a beneficiary.
Ethan Huizenga
February 25, 2022
Any Ideas How to Pay for Long-Term Care?
The costs of long-term care for older adults can be significant. Federal Medicare health insurance benefits do not cover most of these costs. Most people who incur costs for long-term care cover them with a combination of personal savings, long-term care insurance and Medicaid, among other sources.
Ethan Huizenga
January 25, 2022
How to Approach Parents about Estate Planning
If you have a parent over the age of, say, 65, thoughts about their future may have started to creep into your mind. However, because end-of-life planning can be emotional and overwhelming, it’s tempting to put these conversations off—and even more pleasing to avoid them altogether.
Ethan Huizenga
December 29, 2021
Can I Give My Child Access to My Bank Account? Should I?
Would your loved ones have necessary access to your bank accounts after you die to help carry out your last wishes and handle arrangements?
Ethan Huizenga
November 26, 2021
How to Protect an Estate from a Rotten Son-in-Law
Whatever the reason, whether your life is a bed of roses or a getting-worse-nightmare, there are things you can do now to insure what you leave will go to who you want. And when. And in what portion or portions.
Ethan Huizenga
October 18, 2021
How to Keep the Vacation Home in the Family
Vacation property can become a family legacy. Keeping your cabin, fishing lodge, hunting property or other special assets separate for future generations is often a special goal for a family.
Ethan Huizenga
October 5, 2021
Donating Can Reduce Estate Taxes
Increasing tax changes for the wealthy are coming, and motivation to find ways to protect the wealth is getting increased attention, according to a recent article from CNBC entitled “Here’s how to reduce exposure to tax increases with charitable contributions.” Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are options for people who are…
Ethan Huizenga
July 7, 2021
What Is a Holistic Estate Plan?
No one can predict the future—and navigating that reality is precisely what makes estate planning so complicated.
Ethan Huizenga
May 19, 2021
Can a living trust be the beneficiary of my IRA?
Can a living trust be the beneficiary of a Roth IRA?
Ethan Huizenga
April 20, 2021
The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Trust
What are the advantages of putting assets into a trust?
Ethan Huizenga
April 14, 2021
