When you make a move out of state, be sure to review your estate plan with an estate planning attorney in your new domicile, as trust and estate laws have some differences from state to state. In most states, the probate court will recognize a will from another state. But in the case of a dispute, you can’t be sure the judge in the new state will understand your will the way that you meant it.

Passing your house on to your children before your death offers some advantages, but there are pitfalls to avoid. If your children inherit the property through your estate, the cost basis on the property will be the value of the home on the day of your death. But if you gift the children the property while you are still alive, they will inherit your cost basis, including potentially large capital gains if they decide to later

A minor generally doesn’t have the right to manage his or her assets, including any inheritance. But sometimes a minor child becomes the beneficiary of a sizable family inheritance. That can occur because a parent dies without a will or trust, leading to an unavoidable direct inheritance by the child. If a minor is chosen as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, many challenging issues can arise. First of all, a minor

The dynamics of a blended family, defined as one where at least one spouse has at least one child from a prior marriage or relationship, can complicate financial and estate planning because no off-the-shelf plans apply. It’s important to contact your estate-planning lawyer to ensure complete review of all personal and economic aspects of your family and a resulting plan that works for everyone involved. From designating account beneficiaries to updating wills and trusts, it takes attention