Although there are many estate planning resources online which can help you create a Will on your own, these services cannot replace the guidance and expertise of an estate planning attorney. In my experience, one key shortfall of using online services for your estate plan relates to the actual execution of the documents. If you…
A credit shelter trust (CST) is a type of trust that is used to protect assets from estate taxes. It is typically used by married couples to ensure that their assets pass to their heirs without being subject to estate taxes. The CST works by transferring assets from the first spouse to the trust, which…
Is your young adult headed to college in the fall? Does your long to-do list include estate planning for your high school graduate? It should! We are re-publishing this blog post on what you 18-year-old needs to consider. Call or email us this summer to get them started on the right path. “A client recently…
What is a Health Care Directive? The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care (“Health Care Directive”) is a legal document that allows you to name someone to act on your behalf in a health care context should you become unable or unwilling to speak for yourself. This person is called your “agent.” The Health Care…
Legacy Studio was thrilled to have a dessert-n-learn with Jana Eplan, founder of Senior Living Solutions. Jana is a friend of the firm, and came to educate us about the myriad of options available in Atlanta for senior living. Finding the right solution can be overwhelming, but Jana and her team can help sort through…
We are often asked for referrals to financial advisors and we are happy to make introductions. Occasionally clients hesitate to work with a financial advisor because of confusion about the cost. Many of our clients have heard that they should only work with a “fee only” financial advisor, but they don’t understand what that means. …
When people hear the word “trust”, they often think of uber-wealthy “trust fund babies” like Paris Hilton. The truth is, there are lots of reasons to have a trust, and trusts are a very common part of an estate plan. While the Hilton family and other wealthy families may use trusts for tax planning and…
When real property (land) is shared by two or more people, there are two options for how they will own the property. One option is called Tenants in Common, and the other is called Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship (JTWRS). If a deed is set as Tenants in Common, property is owned in equal…
Legacy Studio is a finalist in an “automated legal product” contest, and WE NEED YOUR VOTE so we can expand access to expert estate planning counsel to more people with our innovative product idea! Please click this link: https://info.afterpattern.com/news/legal-products-competition-finalists and vote for us: Estate Planning Product-Service Hybrid (submitted by Legacy Studio) Surveys consistently show…
This week we are proud to be celebrating the 2nd anniversary of Deanie Quillian joining us as an attorney. Deanie has guided dozens of families through the estate administration process and worked on hundreds of estate plans. We routinely hear from our clients that Deanie’s patience and attention to detail give them peace of mind…