“I’d like to have a complex estate plan,” said nobody, ever. Indeed, overwhelmed by the subject, most people have a goal for …
Trusts come in all shapes and sizes and can be effectively used to solve for a variety of planning challenges. You want …
Often, folks want to protect hard earned assets from the costs of healthcare as they age. They fear expensive assisted living and …
Despite some misleading assertions to the contrary, trusts are not the solution for every estate plan. Trusts come with baggage and the …
The end of the year marks the time when many people are doing two things simultaneously. First, they are deciding how much …
Many people desire to tithe both during life and after death. Accordingly, giving 10% of their estate to their church (or other …
Managing and preserving hard-earned wealth is a priority for many individuals. However, the specter of potential creditors looms ominously, ready to lay …
A parent can structure a gift of $1M to a child today such that neither the child nor the parent will pay …
Whether you know it or not, your “estate” is comprised of different assets with different attributes. Some of your assets will be …
A power of attorney authorizes a person (an “agent”) to act on behalf of the “principal” when the principal is no longer …
Think beneficiary designations are just a formality? Think again. In this quick video, Beau Ruff explains how these simple selections can override your will, impact your estate plan, and affect how your assets are distributed. Learn the importance of keeping them up to date—especially for retirement accounts, trusts, and minor children—and how they can provide flexibility or create complications.
Washington state has published its estate tax threshold for 2024. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t changed from 2023. When learning about the estate …
As a senior citizen ages in her residence, she begins to understand a problem that has been brewing for years or decades. …
Commonly called “Probate,” the laws that dictate the handling of a person’s assets after their death usually depend on the state …
Are you confused about the Health Care Directive? Is it the same as a Power of Attorney for Health Care? And what …
Naming a beneficiary on your investment account might seem like a smart way to avoid probate—but it could actually disrupt your estate plan. In this video, Beau Ruff explains why removing transfer-on-death (TOD) designations from non-retirement accounts can improve estate liquidity, simplify asset distribution, and ensure your will works as intended. Learn how centralized control and thoughtful planning can better serve your heirs and your legacy.
Adding your child to your bank account might seem like a simple way to ensure they can help manage your finances—but it could create more problems than it solves. From unintended disinheritance and gift tax issues to exposing your assets to your child’s creditors, joint accounts come with hidden risks. In this video, Beau Ruff explains why a power of attorney is often a safer, smarter alternative for granting access without giving up ownership.
If you're married and living in Washington state, your estate plan might be missing a powerful yet simple tool: the Community Property Agreement. Despite Washington being a community property state, assets don’t automatically transfer to a surviving spouse upon death. This one-page document can streamline your estate plan, ensuring your wishes are honored and your spouse is protected. Learn how it works, when it’s right for you, and why it might be the most cost-effective estate planning move you can make.
In the world of asset protection, one well-known concept to mitigate risk is to transfer the obligation for payment of a valid …
Diversity comes in many forms and many related ways of accommodating different needs. When parents are planning for the needs of children …
In 2019, The SECURE Act changed the rules concerning the distributions from pre-tax Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited through beneficiary designation (a …
