Blog - "Altman Speaks"

Finding the Right Trustee for Your Trust

A trust is a valuable tool in protecting assets from probate and ensuring financial security for loved ones after your passing. When forming a trust, the grantor designates a trustee to make payments and determine how the assets in the trust are distributed. Finding a competent and reliable trustee is crucial. Grantors usually select a […]

Navigating Guardianships Part IV: Challenges and Controversies

While there are many reasons for needing to obtain a guardianship, and the time-consuming petition and hearing process is designed to ensure that all interested parties are in agreement on the terms, problems can still arise after a judge has approved the petition and the guardianship is put into place. Considering that a guardian has […]

Estate Tax Returns - Not as Scary as They Sound

Are you an Executor Needing to file an Estate Tax Return? Tax issues are one of the many front-and-center issues when an individual dies. For most individuals who pass away, a final income tax return must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state (if the state also taxes income) to settle […]

Navigating Guardianships Part Three: Duties of a Guardian

Part 3 of our Navigating Guardianship Series, dives into the duties of a guardian. Learn more about the steps you need to take before being appointed as a guardian, rights and responsibilities, reporting requirements and oversight and how to end a guardianship.

Selling a Deceased Loved One’s Real Estate: Things You Need to Know

After the death of a loved one, such as a parent, various tasks must be handled to wrap up your loved one’s final affairs. Selling your deceased loved one’s real estate is one of the more daunting ones. But before you call a real estate agent, take some time to get familiar with and consider […]

Recent Case in Michigan Appeals Court

What is a Declaration of Trust or Trust Ownership? The Michigan Court of Appeals recently sided with one of the co-trustees in the matter involving Schaddelee Vs. Deleon regarding creating a trust and its terms and what assets or potential assets will flow into the trust. Michigan’s probate court determined that the declaration of trust […]

Common Mistakes with DIY Estate Plans

More and More Do-It-Yourself Wills and Trusts Available Online Every year I feel compelled to write about why online and pre-packaged estate planning documents are a big NO-NO. Just today, I received an email regarding a program. called Trust & Will. The internet offers all the information and tools we need to create our estate […]

Navigating Guardianships Part Two: The Petition Process

Determining the Need for a Guardian Part Two of this guardianship series will examine the court process and what is required and needed. In cases involving minors, the legal need for a guardian is clear. However, determining the need for a guardian is far less concrete in adults with limited capacity. Giving control of an […]

Navigating Guardianship Series Part 1: Definitions, Petitioning, and Preventative Measures

Do you have aging parents? Do you have a child with developmental issues? More clients and prospects are asking us questions about guardianship. With people living longer, have you thought about what could happen and what to do? Let’s examine guardianship and how Altman & Associates can help through examples. The posts in this series […]

The Harmonious Family that Won’t Fight

Do You Remember the Last Time You Had a Fight with Family Members? As we begin the start of the 4th of July Holiday weekend and the vacations families share around this time, I think about the messy and dysfunctional family, the back-stabbing Roys as I conclude the show Succession. Most families are happy families. […]

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Recent Posts

Bills and Services to Cancel—and Keep—When a Loved One Dies

Finding the Right Trustee for Your Trust

Navigating Guardianships Part IV: Challenges and Controversies

Estate Tax Returns - Not as Scary as They Sound

Navigating Guardianships Part Three: Duties of a Guardian

Three Altman and Associates Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Selling a Deceased Loved One’s Real Estate: Things You Need to Know

Recent Case in Michigan Appeals Court

Common Mistakes with DIY Estate Plans

Navigating Guardianships Part Two: The Petition Process

« Previous 1 2 3 4 … 73 Next »