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When Private Fights Over Millions Become Public (Things Get Ugly) - The New York Times, February 8, 2019
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…
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Helping Women Over 50 Face Their Financial Fears - The New York Times, September 3, 2017
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…
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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
The interest paid on that home equity loan may still be tax deductible, in some cases. Read More
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Useful Resources for Navigating Changing Health Conditions of Ourselves and Our Loved Ones:
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…
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Cathy’s Recent Appearance on the Law School for the Public television program.
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.
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POD / TOD Accounts are NOT the Answer
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…
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How Assets are Titled is Extremely Important!
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…
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning
The Importance of Understanding Beneficiary Designation Forms
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.
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning
How is Your IRA Handled After Your Death?
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…
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Financial Information Checklist
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…
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Categories: Assets / Financial Planning
