Tradition can be a powerful motivator. Traditions can be like laws, meaning the group following them will not accept any change or departure from their custom. Traditions can also be a way of acting that varies with life changes. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul urged the Church to stand fast and hold to the traditions. […]
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This is the first in a series of posts exploring why people do what they do. In this post, we’re discussing certainty. When I was a young lawyer, I worked on a corporate team where Fortune 500 companies paid tens of thousands of dollars for certainty. When they signed a contract, they wanted to know […]
After a policy holder dies, it is important to contact insurance companies to see whether a claim should be paid. Types of claims can include: Life insurance payout Refund of unused premiums Indemnities Typically assets with a beneficiary designation are not probate assets and should be paid to the person named as beneficiary. In some […]
If you’re concerned about protecting your resources, here are a few thoughts on how to protect Inherited IRAs. First, define the risk you’re planning to minimize or avoid. Some States might treat all retirement accounts as exempt resources for Medicaid eligibility purposes, while others do not. If you’re worried about nursing home expenses, find out […]
Until recently, the IRS has said little (if anything) regarding whether assets the beneficiary of an irrevocable trust receives get a step up in basis following the Grantor’s death. With issuance of Revenue Ruling 2023-2, that has changed. The IRS has spoken. In RR 2023-2, the IRS posed the following hypothetical which I’ve edited slightly: […]
Here are a few stats: The average shopper sees 4,000 ads in a day. The average person is interrupted once every 8 minutes. On average, people spend 3 hours and 15 minutes per day on their phones. The typical American spends three hours per day watching TV. The stats on prayer aren’t quite as good. […]
On June 12, 2023, the Tennessee Court of Appeals (Knoxville) upheld a settlement agreement requiring the recipient of funds in an investment account to pay his share of capital gains taxes. The case, In re Hunt, E2022-00649-COA-R3-CV, arose during the probate of Dr. Robert McPhail Hunt, Jr.’s estate. Hunt purportedly married Zulkifli Atim in Canada […]
In Milbourne v. Milbourne, 301 Ga. 111 (2017), The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a Gwinnett Probate Court Order refusing to grant summary judgment on the issue of undue influence. Milbourne concerned a Will, allegedly procured through the undue influence of the Will-maker’s sister. The Will-maker was Edison Jamal Milbourne. He suffered a work related brain […]
If you are in the midst of a crisis, it’s critical for doctors and other health care providers to know who to listen to and who can make decisions. Obviously, if it’s your regular physician, the ideal solution is to give him or her a copy of your health care advance directive and have it […]
In April, 2022, we reported that HB 620 altered how settlements for minors can be approved under O.C.G.A. § 29-3-3, at least in cases where the trial court approves direct payment to a trust. Prior to passage of HB 620, Section 29-3-3 read as follows: 2021 Version For purposes of this Code section, the term […]
