November 13, 2008

Estate Planning During Bad Economic Times

Gifting those beaten down stocks?

As folks across the country opened up their brokerage statements, one thing was apparent--their stocks are worth less than they were the previous month or year. With the dramatic decline in the stock market, many are holding stocks whose value has declined substantially. What to do? Well, this article in the Wall-Street Journal suggest you might consider gifting those stocks to family members as the tax benefit from the gift is that much greater.

With a new administration taking over the White House, Democrats controlling Congress, and the previous administration's estate and gift tax measures reaching the end of their life cycle, most experts agree we can expect new estate and gift tax policies in 2009. One does not need a crystal ball to suspect the tax savings in the previous legislation will probably erode. The question is how much. So during these trying economic times, the advice in the Wall-Street Journal may be the best route for your battered stocks.

If you are interested in discussing estate planning strategies, call the Kisselburgh Law Firm at 601-936-4040 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

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October 11, 2008

Special Needs Trusts

The Wall Street Journal recently published a good article on special needs trusts, sometimes called supplemental trusts. If you have a child with a disability or special needs, you need to read this article as well as plan your estate appropriately. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we can assist you in your estate planning needs, including special needs trusts. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office so we can discuss the options available to you and your loved ones.

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September 8, 2008

Estate Planning after a Second Marriage

It may be time to review your Will

Chances are that you have a Will somewhere that you had drawn up when your children were born. Depending on how long ago that was, you should probably dig it out, review it and then talk to an attorney about updating your estate plan to account for your current family situation.

It may be that nothing much has changed. Or you may have gotten a divorce several years back, even gotten remarried but never changed your estate planning documents to reflect these major life changes.

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July 25, 2008

"The Last Lecture" Professor Dies

"The Last Lecture" Professor Dies

Randy Pausch, who presented "The Last Lecture" as well as wrote a book by the same name, died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. I have talked about Randy on my website and urged folks to watch the video of "The Last Lecture" and read his book. This man truly understood the importance of living a legacy for your children. God Bless him and his family.

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July 8, 2008

Estate Planning and Divorce in Mississippi

When you divorced, did you modify your estate plan?

For many couples going through divorce, the focus is on the divorce process and its aftermath. With the wave of emotions involved in the divorce, many forget about their estate plan. Ask yourself some simple questions which apply both during and after the divorce process.


  • Do you want your soon-to-be ex-spouse making the decisions are to your medical care should you become disabled?

  • Do you want your soon-to-be ex-spouse to get all your money should you die?

  • Have you updated the beneficiary forms for your life insurance?

  • Have you updated the beneficiary forms for your retirement plan?

  • Have you updated your Will removing your spouse as a beneficiary?

  • Have you updated your trusts removing your spouse as a beneficiary?


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