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Whether you’re creating a plan for the first time or updating an existing one, estate planning can be stressful. There are more estate planning tools than many people realize. An experienced attorney can help you select which ones work best. One especially effective estate planning tool is the enhanced life estate deed, more commonly known […]

A holographic will is a last will and testament that’s been entirely handwritten and signed by the testator (the person creating the will). While it’s generally considered best to draw up a traditional will as a part of a complete estate plan, a holographic will is a viable alternative if someone can’t feasibly create a […]

A will is far from the only available estate planning tool. However, no matter how vast or how small your estate may be, your will serves as a kind of roadmap. When most people think of a will, they imagine a formal document completed with the help of an attorney and notarized. However, handwritten wills […]

When the average person imagines estate planning tools, they think of wills and trusts. However, as any estate planning attorney can tell you, there’s a wealth of property transfer vehicles and other tools to simplify asset distribution and protect your loved ones from the threat of creditors. One of the most useful tools out there […]

If you’ve amassed significant assets during your lifetime, you likely want to preserve that wealth for future generations. However, depending on the kinds of assets you want to pass down, transferring wealth may result in a significant tax liability. Creating a trust might be the best way to maximize the tax efficiency of any transfer […]

There are many kinds of trusts, and most are useful estate planning tools. Generation-skipping trusts are a way for grantors (those who establish trusts) to preserve family wealth for future generations by “skipping” over the next generation. This strategy may help reduce overall tax liability, as the trust is only taxed once. However, generation-skipping trusts […]

Estate planning can be uncomfortable to think about. However, a carefully crafted estate plan is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones. You don’t want your family to be left tying up loose ends and grappling with significant estate taxes once you’re gone. A strong estate plan often involves combining several strategies, […]

Trusts are useful because of their flexibility. There are very few trust provisions that a court will strike down. As a result, a trust lawyer can create a document that addresses issues specific to your situation. Spendthrift trusts were created to address some specific problems grantors historically faced during estate planning related to a beneficiary’s spending habits. This […]

Throughout the country, states have different ways of dealing with estate taxes. A common question our team of estate planning lawyers receive is, “Does Texas have an estate tax?” The answer is no, but that doesn’t mean that your property isn’t subject to a federal estate tax. It’s important to know what to expect from an estate […]

An effective tool in estate planning that can allow you to support your favorite charities while saving on taxes and generating income for yourself or your heirs is a charitable remainder trust (CRT). This type of trust can help you solidify your legacy while also offering you the ability to reap a number of benefits. At Hunter Sargent, PLLC, […]