Online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Mr. Miller has many years of experience in designing and implementing a comprehensive variety of Trusts, Wills, and other estate planning documents, as well as settling estates in the most expedient and appropriate method. Further, he counsels and assists clients on becoming eligible for VA benefits and Medi-Cal.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been active in the area of VA Pension and Medi-Cal for well over a decade. He uses various specialized types of Trusts as well as non-trust strategies to gain eligibility for his clients and save the family money.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been settling estates (both simple and complex) for well over 40 years. The starting point is always to create a strategy to settle the estate in the most efficient manner possible with a minimum of taxes. Often times the strategy created allows the family to bypass Probate Court proceedings.
Learn moreMemorial Day began during the Civil War as Decoration Day. As the bloodiest war in American history to date, African Americans freed from slavery first started the tradition by landscaping and cleaning up the unmarked burial ground at the Charleston Race Track in Charleston, North Carolina. Soon thereafter, following the battle of Gettysburg, the Union … Read more
There are a few things about anticipating an inheritance everyone should know. There are a number of ways to obtain an “inheritance.” The common probate procedures are: intestate transfer, meaning the deceased person did not have a will; and testate transfer, meaning the person did have a will. Additionally, a revocable living trust, joint tenancy, … Read more
Because you have been reading this blog, and then running to review your estate plan immediately, you may have noticed that there are a lot of phrases or segments that seem irrelevant to you or your situation. Some may actually be irrelevant and unnecessary; however, most are the product of “legal fictions” or victorious cases … Read more
While reading about Facebook’s heavily anticipated IPO, I was surprised to find that it brings up the occasion to discuss a number of estate planning issues. For one thing, the estate tax planning issues brought up in large estates may apply to more people beginning next year. For another, the IPO may produce a windfall … Read more
This has been a busy week for news about same-sex marriage! Regardless of your position, both sides seem to be heating up the debate. North Carolina passed a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage and other, generally more palatable same-sex arrangements such as domestic partnerships. In response, the President weighed in by announcing that his view … Read more
If it’s V.A. benefits, I understand. The backlog of V.A. claims is astounding. Nearly 900,000 veterans who have applied for benefits are still awaiting approval. Over 65% of those claims have been outstanding for over four months. Additionally, the V.A. expects the backlog to grow to at least 1.2 million by the end of the … Read more
Generally a comprehensive estate plan will include provisions for your care even while you are still alive. Unique documents and provisions should be carefully considered while you are working with your attorney to create or amend your plans. Many attorneys treat health care documents as boilerplate. However, when it comes to authorizing someone else to … Read more
Many of you have one member of your household who is frequently overlooked. You never got a credit or even an exemption on your tax return. They are not included on your family healthcare plan. You are not automatically entitled to time off work when they have kids or when they die. The reason is … Read more
Tax favored retirement plans such as Traditional or Roth IRAs are meant to help you save for retirement. However, because your life and ultimate demise are unpredictable, there are a number of important caveats to remember about your retirement plan. One frequently overlooked aspect of retirement plans is the beneficiary listing. Your IRA is generally … Read more
Buying real property is one of the most important financial decisions many people will make in their life. It’s a decision that does not necessarily get easier the more times it is done and, especially in the last several years, can be very risky. That said, it is also one of the most important assets … Read more
About Living Trusts is hosted by the Law Offices of Merwyn J. Miller, as your online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Part One: What Is Fair? Dear Mr. Miller: I have three adult children and am struggling with how to divide my estate. My oldest daughter has done very ...
Dear Mr. Miller: My husband and I recently completed our estate planning. We now have a Living Trust, Wills, Powers of Attorney and other documents. O...
Dear Mr. Miller: My mother is 82 and still lives alone. Over the last year, she has become noticeably more forgetful. She repeats stories, sometimes f...
