Probate is the court process that happens after someone dies—and it can be time-consuming, expensive, and public. The good news? With proper planning, you can often avoid probate entirely. In this article, learn: - What probate is and why people try to avoid it; - The top tools to bypass probate (like revocable trusts, beneficiary...Read More
When evaluating estate planning services, it’s tempting to compare fees—but the true value of your plan lies in how well it actually works. A well-drafted will or trust can fail if assets are titled incorrectly or outdated beneficiary designations are overlooked. At Catalyst Law, we go beyond documents to ensure your estate plan aligns with...Read More
I. Form of Ownership. A good estate plan should include a review of how your assets are titled. The form of ownership can affect the availability of estate tax exemptions, creditors’ rights, and which document controls how the asset is distributed at your death. II. Last Will and Testament. A written Will is a legal...Read More
At a conference in New York sponsored by the Practicing Law Institute on February 13, 2017, Treasury and IRS officials discussed two new Trump administration policy changes limiting substantive IRS guidance for “a while.” The first policy is the administration’s unusual “one-in, two-out” executive order, which generally requires agencies to eliminate two regulations for every...Read More
Under the current federal transfer tax system, there is a 40% tax on estates of individuals dying with more than $5.49 million in assets. Gifts made during lifetime are added to transfers at death for purposes of calculating the $5.49 million limit. (With proper planning, the limit is doubled for married couples.) Transfers greater than...Read More
We started Catalyst, in part, to experiment with innovations in law practice. We want to practice law in ways that are better for clients and better for the lawyers serving them. In that spirit, as of January 1, 2017, we are stopping the billable hour clock and transitioning to fixed-fee billing arrangements for most estate...Read More
To help more families have the peace of mind that comes with having a family legal plan in place, we’re offering a sliding-scale, flat-fee group estate planning process for qualified clients. You can develop a plan in as little as ten hours over ten weeks, including a will, guardianship for your children, trust, healthcare directives,...Read More
Common Reason #3: I do not have enough time or enough money to hire an estate planning lawyer. Q: How much do you pay your financial planner on an annual basis? A: You either pay by the hour, or you pay at least 1% annually based on your total assets under management. For example, if...Read More
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
Kofi Annan
The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all content, laws change frequently and may vary by jurisdiction. You should not act or rely on any information found on this site without first seeking the advice of a qualified attorney who is familiar with your specific legal situation.
Reading or interacting with this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Catalyst Law, LLC or any of its attorneys. If you have questions about your personal circumstances, we encourage you to contact our office directly to schedule a consultation.
