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Home » Assets / Financial Planning

» Assets / Financial Planning

When Private Fights Over Millions Become Public (Things Get Ugly) - The New York Times, February 8, 2019

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
Paul Sullivan writes: There are private family squabbles, and then there are family squabbles that splash into public view, shining a spotlight on a bitter dispute. Take the case of Belinda Neumann-Donnelly, who sued her father, Hubert Neumann, claiming he drove down the price of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Flesh and Spirit,” which sold for $30.7 million at auction last… Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning, Probate, Wills
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Helping Women Over 50 Face Their Financial Fears - The New York Times, September 3, 2017

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
Ronni Ginott was at a New Year’s Day party in 2003 when her husband, David, had a heart attack and died on the spot, at 58. In an instant, Ms. Ginott, then 55, became not only a single mother of two daughters, but also the owner of E.M. Winston Company, her husband’s musical-instrument rental company. She knew nothing about the business, and her husband had no successi… Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning, Wills
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Interest on Home Equity Loans Is Still Deductible, but With a Big Caveat - The New York Times, Saturday, March 10, 2018

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
The interest paid on that home equity loan may still be tax deductible, in some cases. Read More Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning
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Useful Resources for Navigating Changing Health Conditions of Ourselves and Our Loved Ones:

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
Ron Lieber, who writes for the New York Times, recently wrote an article responding to reader responses to his earlier articles on the Medicaid program and how the majority of Americans depend on Medicaid for nursing home or care at home at some point during their lives. The author listed four books that were recommended to him repeatedly and reported that he read them all… Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning, Elder Law, Health Care Directives, Long Term Care
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Cathy’s Recent Appearance on the Law School for the Public television program.

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Catherine R. Mack
Learn the basics of how assets are distributed after death, including a discussion of Wills, Trusts, and the probate process in Montgomery County, Maryland from Cathy’s recent appearance on public television. By watching this short program, you will see Cathy’s unique ability to explain and discuss these topics. Click here to view the program. Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning, IRAs / Retirement, Life Insurance, Trusts, Wills
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POD / TOD Accounts are NOT the Answer

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
The articles and commentary are endless about the fact that Prince did not have a Will even though he was reportedly worth zillions of dollars and had serious “health issues” (at least issues considered serious by his attorney, according to a recent news article). One article “You might not have Prince’s ‘Pop Life' — but you should have a will" in The Washing… Read More
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Categories: Articles in the Media, Assets / Financial Planning
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How Assets are Titled is Extremely Important!

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Catherine R. Mack
Recently, I learned a very important lesson: it’s very important to know how our estate planning clients have their assets titled. My lesson? Advise my clients early and often that if the client decides to change the “ownership” of an asset (whether by adding another person to a checking account so that the person can pay bills or by filling out paperwork so that the… Read More
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning
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The Importance of Understanding Beneficiary Designation Forms

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
If you have minor children who are to benefit from assets devised by a beneficiary designation, it’s important to have a mechanism whereby the minor child’s interest in the asset is protected and available for the minor child’s support. This requires careful planning. Read More
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning
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How is Your IRA Handled After Your Death?

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Catherine R. Mack
Distribution of your IRA after your death should be determined by a beneficiary designation form prepared by you, the account owner. It is not governed by your Last Will and Testament (unless you fail to prepare a beneficiary designation form because often your “probate estate” is the default beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the agreement that u… Read More
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning, IRAs / Retirement
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Financial Information Checklist

Posted By
Catherine R. Mack
In these troubled times, it’s important to prepare a checklist of critical financial information about yourself, so your family and loved ones won’t be burdened at a time of crisis. This information should be kept somewhere safe, yet accessible. Don’t keep it in a safety deposit box, but do keep it somewhere secure (for example, with your attorney or your… Read More
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Categories

Articles in the Media
Assets / Financial Planning
Elder Law
Estate Taxes
Health Care Directives
IRAs / Retirement
Life Insurance
Long Term Care
News
Personal Representatives
Power of Attorney
Probate
Trusts
Wills

About Cathy Mack

Catherine R. Mack's Profile Image
Catherine R. Mack
I am an estate planning and estate litigation attorney who has been practicing law for many years. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, I work with clients in Montgomery County and throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. My practice focus is 1) estate planning (wills, trusts and ancillary documents), 2) probate (the publication and effectuation of a Will through the local court) and 3… Read More

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Recent Articles

What not to do when leaving a home to an heir - The Washington Post , Feb. 22, 2020
By Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin Feb. 19, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. EST Q: I just read your column giving suggestions to an elderly mother who wanted to make sure her daughter received her home at death without probate. I’m a retired attorney, and I don’t know how many times I was asked the same question by clients over the years. There’s one thing that you didn’… Read More

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Law Office of Catherine R. Mack
Bethesda Crossing
7315 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 800 West
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone: (301) 961-8590
Fax: (301) 961-6599
Email:

Our offices are located in the former Air Rights Center, now called Bethesda Crossing

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We are available...but working remotely

My law office in Bethesda is physically closed right now and so I am not taking new clients at this time. For my existing clients, I am working remotely from Virginia. If you need to reach me or my assistant Lisa, please use my email at cmack@cathymacklaw.com or Lisa’s email at admin@cathymacklaw.com. Or leave a phone message at 301.961.8590. Stay safe and secluded in these difficult times.