Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Shawn Garner
Landscape Architect
Design Elements are Everywhere at TLE! Hardscapes, Lighting, Outdoor Living, Fire Features, Pool Contractors, Planters, Soils, Irrigation, Plant Material, Seminars, New Technologies and So Much More . . .
Why your heirs, beneficiaries may get a smaller inheritance than you thought
As sad as it is to say, it is not uncommon for the family of a loved one who has passed to ask the executor (or trustee) for the value of the estate. It can be tempting for the executor to appease them and provide that information. At that point they will undoubtedly do some quick mental math to estimate how much they will receive.
Estate Planning: An introduction to the fundamentals
Estate planning can be an intimidating topic and knowing where to start may seem difficult. The best time to plan for your incapacity or death, though, is while you’re still healthy. With a little time, effort, and professional guidance, you can develop a plan and obtain peace of mind. Failing to do so can place the security of your family and assets in jeopardy. What is your estate?
Estate Planning: What to do if your life insurance is outdated?
When you bought life insurance, you probably intended to replace lost income if you died. Now that you’re retired, your kids are self-sufficient and the house is paid off, paying the premiums is a waste of money, right?
Estate Planning: How does tax reform plan affect your estate plans?
Late last month, Sept. 27th to be exact, the president held an event in Indiana where he “outlined” his proposed tax reforms under his tax plan called the Unified Framework for Fixing Our Broken Tax Code (Unified Framework). The same day, the White House released a nine-page summary of the reforms. Three things were clear from the speech and the release: 1. The president is enthusiastic about the savings Americans can expect on their income taxes; 2.
Estate Planning: If you are holding property in joint tenancy … let’s talk
We are very fortunate to be living in Arizona where our state government has taken a look at the planning laws across the nation and adopted some of the most practical and reasonable policies when it comes to estate planning.
Estate Planning: Portability vs. AB trusts
Most people are at least vaguely aware that estate taxes may be due at death. Here is a summary of three important concepts to understand about estate taxes as they relate to trusts and estate planning in general.When someone passes away, the property held in his name is referred to as his estate. The tax owed on the value of the property in his estate before it can be passed to his beneficiaries is called the estate tax.
Estate Planning: Does joint tenancy work as an alternative?
Many choose to believe that estate planning is as simple as holding your asset jointly with a spouse or someone you trust. The concept is simple. If you add your spouse or your child to the accounts, then they can manage the assets if you become sick and become the owner without probate upon your death.
Estate Planning: The most important resolution
Every new year, most of us make resolutions in hopes of improving ourselves. Those goals generally include vowing to get fit, spend less time watching TV, and tackling that big project we’ve been pushing off.
Estate Planning: The alphabet soup of planning documents
When you think of getting your affairs in order, there are a variety of documents you will need, not just to prepare for death, but for the precursor so many people face for months or years prior to their demise – incapacity. Having the right documents in place beforehand can help you and your family face the inevitable with much greater peace of mind.First, there’s the choice between a will and a trust.
Estate Planning: Health care power of attorney key to preventing problems
Most people are shocked to learn that when someone 65 years and older goes to the hospital for at least two days, almost a third (32 percent overall) are too ill to make health care decisions for themselves. Where does this leave them? If they have prepared the health care documents needed in advance for a surrogate decision maker to be involved, then they should be covered.
Estate Planning: Who oversees a trust administration?
Most people know that revocable trusts allow you to plan ahead of time, so upon your death your property may be distributed as you want. This is preferred to using a will that must go through the probate process which is overseen by a judge.
Estate Planning: Planning critical for blended families - Yuma Sun: Features
If you are remarried, there are more opportunities for disputes and uneven distributions upon your death. Just as bad as having the inheritance you intended for your kids being unintentionally split up with the children of your current spouse, is the potential that you still have an ex-spouse or deceased spouse named as a beneficiary in your will, trust, life insurance, retirement account, etc.
Estate Planning: Should I give my children their inheritance now? - Yuma Sun: Features
Some parents would prefer to give their children their inheritance before they die so they can see them enjoy it. This is a wonderful concept, but there are some unintended consequences that may result. Be sure you are informed of the risks and benefits of gifting property, such as a house, land or stock to your children. Perhaps you have two properties. You raised children in your home in Washington but you started coming to Arizona to escape the cold winters.
Estate planning: Adding children on titled assets a bad idea - Yuma Sun: Features
Adding your children to the title of your assets seems like such an easy solution to deal with your assets in case you become incapacitated or die. The concept is simple. If you add your children to the title, then they can manage the assets if you become sick and become the owner without probate upon your death. However, adding children to your titled assets, such as your house, bank accounts, and vehicles, often causes serious problems.
Estate Planning: Annuities, the snake-oil of the traveling financial planner - Yuma Sun: Features
Your mother likely gave you some sound advice that could be applied to many annuities that are currently being promoted in group settings: “If it sounds too good to be true … it is!” There are plenty of so-called financial advisors traveling from town to town and luring in potential clients by offering “free” buffet lunches then proclaiming that they alone have access to a miracle investment. They claim the annuity will guaranty income and even help you qualify for Medicaid.
Estate Planning: It helps to know the terminology - Yuma Sun: Features
Although thinking of one’s own death is an uncomfortable task, many people agree that initiating some form of estate planning is prudent. However, some people may feel intimidated by meeting with an attorney to discuss their needs. A good lawyer will discuss your available options in simple terms that a person with little or no legal training can comprehend.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Shawn
Contact Shawn, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack