By Tim Barkley. January 2020. Estate planning is often discussed in the context of the “typical American family” – Mom, Dad and 1.8 happily adjusted children. But what if that’s not you? Planning for unmarried, divorced or widowed clients who have no...
Give It Away. December 2018. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. Mom and Susan flanked the lawyer, who addressed Mom: “If I recall correctly, Susan and I had discussed making sure you qualify for Medicaid by giving some of your investment real estate to the kids. Is that what...
By Tim Barkley. August 2017. Your will and power of attorney are nestled in your safe deposit box. Your living will is in your file at your doctor’s office. You feel prepared for all the uncertainties that life can fling at you. But are you really as prepared as you...
By Tim Barkley. February 2016. In beginning the estate planning process, your estate planning attorney should begin by getting to know you. Planning is for people. It is not a technician’s exercise in efficiency, though it must be both effective and efficient....
By Tim Barkley. March 2013. Now that you’ve set up your living trust, you need to feed it to make it grow. In legal parlance, you need to “fund” your trust. The benefits of a living trust – probate avoidance, privacy, efficiency, estate tax avoidance – may be...
