Estate Planning

It’s often the case that the most critical conversations are some of the most challenging ones to have. If you plan on discussing long term care with your parent or family member this year, it can help to be prepared. After all, this conversation will need to resolve many questions including how the care will […]

If you like murder mysteries and went to the movies this holiday season, there’s a good chance that you saw the film, Knives Out. So far, the film has brought in 70 million dollars in ticket sales and received substantial critical acclaim. Behind the story that makes this film intriguing is a backdrop of estate […]

Several facets of estate planning law have made this an excellent time to create a powerful estate plan. After all, low-interest rates and high exemption thresholds for things like estate taxes and lifetime gives have allowed more people to pass on wealth in a powerful way. Congress also passed legislation at the end of 2019 […]

Creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to yourself and to your loved ones. An estate plan that functions as intended will protect your assets and help them grow over the course of your lifetime as well as ensure that your loved ones are provided for in […]

Are you a trust beneficiary who recently received a “Crummy notice?” If so, and you have never before received one, you may be unsure what to do next. After all, there must be some reason why you received the notice, right? To help you better understand why you received the notice, an Indianapolis trust attorney […]

For most people, the first estate planning document they create is a Last Will and Testament. When you create your Will, your focus will likely be on the gifts you make to loved ones in your Will. While the distribution of your estate assets is certainly an important aspect of creating your Will, the appointment […]

A 401(k) rollover occurs when a person directs the transfer of the money in their retirement account to a new plan or IRA. The most common period when people decide to rollover 401(k) is when they either change jobs or retire. One of the most substantial challenges in rolling over a 401(k) is deciding whether […]

Estate planning is a complex process. For many people, estate planning is overwhelming and results in many unanticipated costs. For other people, it is frightening to accept that they too will one day pass away. Despite how you might feel about estate planning, there are several important estate planning documents that every person should have […]

There are some surprising conclusions that people reach after creating an estate plan. For example, after putting the finishing touches on estate planning documents, some parents discover that they do not want to pass on an inheritance to the couple’s children. This is often not because the children have done anything wrong, but rather because […]

For many people, life insurance plays an integral role in their estate plan. Exactly what role it plays, and how much life insurance is necessary, can be difficult to determine though. Moreover, both the type and amount of life insurance you need can change over the course of your lifetime.An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at […]

Estate planning is difficult, but for loved ones with special needs, the process can be particularly challenging. Besides worrying about the type of care your loved one will receive, you are likely overwhelmed with many other questions including who will manage finances and whether the person will be able to receive benefits without being disqualified […]

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is spreading in the United States and across the globe. Learn what steps you can take to prepare yourself and help prevent its spread. Read on to learn more. The post Preparing for Coronavirus appeared first on Frank & Kraft, Attorneys at Law.

If you’ve been asked to help a loved one manage their assets, you likely know that there are many complex issues to consider. One question that many people in this situation are often left wondering is whether it is better to be added to a bank account as a joint account holder or if it […]

Stretch IRAs refer to an estate planning strategy that was utilized to extend the tax-deferred status of an inherited IRA when it passed to a non-spouse beneficiary. Stretched IRAs allowed for continued tax-deferred growth. The SECURE Act, which was passed by the Senate on December 19, 2019, however, will end stretch IRAs.  The most direct […]

Although once used almost exclusively by wealthy families, trusts are now commonly found in the average person’s estate plan. If you are contemplating the addition of a trust to your estate plan, it is important that you choose the right Trustee to administer that trust. Understanding the trust administration process a little bit better may […]

If you finally wrote your estate plan in 2019, you likely know just how difficult it can be to sit down and write an estate plan. Even after creating these documents, there are still several  obstacles that can occur and prevent you from achieving your estate planning goals. As a result, this article takes a […]

Creating an estate plan is not easy. That’s just one of the many reasons why people delay planning for the future. One of the common challenges that people must solve is deciding who to appoint as a personal representative/trustee. Pick incorrectly and there is a substantial risk that the goals you have for your trust […]

One of the most repeated pieces of estate planning advice is to routinely review and update estate planning documents. It is particularly important to revise estate planning documents following major life changes or if a beneficiary under a will passes away before the testator does. If a person fails to make the necessary estate planning […]

As we age, so do our parents. If you are an adult child who has reached the point where you are now providing care for an aging parent, you may also be feeling a bit overwhelmed. No matter how well-intentioned you may be, caring for an elderly parent can become too much at times. According […]

Screen legend James Dean passed away 64 years ago, but a new CGI film called is about to feature Dean in a new starring role. To use Dean’s appearance in this way, the filmmakers needed to obtain the permission of Deans’ heirs because Dean passed away as a California resident.  In the state of California, […]