http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/ Certified Specialists in Estate Planning firm located in Pasadena, California. Our mission is to translate that love and concern into an estate plan that reflects your values, attitudes and the uniqueness of your family. en Copyright 2007 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:38:02 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss All intangible assets:

Bank accounts

Annuities

Stocks

Bonds

Mutual funds

Limited partnership interests

Small business ownership interest

Life insurance face amounts (payout to beneficiaries)

Retirement plan proceeds (what you have now and what’s left when you die)

]]> http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/what_is_your_estate.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/what_is_your_estate.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:38:02 -0800 The question of who will take over the reins, when the entrepreneurs and business owners of the 1970's and 80's reach retirement age, will be a major concern at every level of American business as we move into the 21st century. So says a survey of CPAs, conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). More than 58% of respondents to the survey, which was sent to 4200 CPA/consultants in every area of the country, ranked inadequate succession planning as the biggest threat facing small to mid-sized businesses.* http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/business_succession_planning_i.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/business_succession_planning_i.html Small or Family Business Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:53:41 -0800 A new insurance product has come onto the market within the past few years, and it may be one of the most important investments an individual can make. Long-term care insurance is a product that promotes "planning," not "crisis management." Do you recall the statistic noted earlier in this chapter? Depending upon your age, you are four to seven times more likely to become disabled in any given year, than you are likely to die! Yet there are millions upon millions of life insurance policies existing in this country, and fewer than one million long-term care policies. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/longterm_care/longterm_care_insurance.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/longterm_care/longterm_care_insurance.html Long-Term Care Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:39:37 -0800 Most of us have given only passing thought to the subject of long-term care. Even when we have witnessed a friend or family member suffering through the complications of a long recuperation or rehabilitation, most of us still tell ourselves, "that won't happen to me!" "I will never need a home care assistant!" "I will rely on my children to help me!" "I will stay in my own home, no matter what!" "I will use government benefits to pay for the nursing home that I choose!" The truth is that, in any given year, each of us (depending on our age) is four to seven times more likely to become disabled than to die! To put this in perspective, let's look at it this way: for every adult death, there are between four and seven adults the same age, who do not die from their illnesses, injuries or accidents, but become disabled and need some type of special care or rehabilitation. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/longterm_care/your_long_term_care_crisis_or.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/longterm_care/your_long_term_care_crisis_or.html Long-Term Care Mon, 28 May 2007 23:44:04 -0800 How do you plan for the ultimate disposition of your business, including ownership and control, after you have passed away? Will it be run by your children, your spouse, valued employees? Will the business be sold to family or to outsiders? Will it fail because you are the glue that holds it together? Will your affairs be tied up in probate court indefinitely, leaving the business poorly supervised and in danger of failing? The issues of planning the succession of ownership and/or management of your business are complex, and will present a continuing challenge for many years to come. You may feel overwhelmed by the choices you have to make, and because the business planning process is ongoing, your may have to revisit your choices as your life unfolds. Business succession planning is not a one-shot event, but requires your commitment to review and revise. Unless you develop and implement a plan, the law and taxes will act on your behalf, usually to the detriment of your heirs. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/taking_care_of_your_family_bus.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/taking_care_of_your_family_bus.html Small or Family Business Mon, 28 May 2007 01:51:59 -0800 There are trusts and then there are trusts - good trusts and bad trusts. Good trusts are part of a process used by legitimate estate planners and their clients to control the disposition of assets, avoid probate, reduce administration costs, save estate taxes, and preserve family wealth for future generations. This article is not about good trusts. It is about bad trusts. There are two main categories of bad trusts: scam trusts and mill trusts. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/avoiding_trust_scams.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/avoiding_trust_scams.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:52:17 -0800 A revocable Living Trust is a legal container, designed by you to take ownership of most of your assets. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/trusts/what_is_a_revocable_living_tru.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/trusts/what_is_a_revocable_living_tru.html Revocable Living Trust Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:06:07 -0800 This form will help you begin the estate planning process by identifying areas of special concern to you. You will be better prepared to work with a knowledgeable attorney specialist. Based on your current knowledge of estate planning, check those objectives which are of personal importance to you. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/what_do_i_want_from_my_estate.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/what_do_i_want_from_my_estate.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:55:13 -0800 Ask your kids. You may be surprised. Personal property trumps money in most cases. How "finished" is your personal estate plan when you leave our office, sign your funding documents, participate in your annual review sessions and update your trust as your estate changes and expands? The answer might surprise you! http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/have_you_forgotten_to_finish_y.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/have_you_forgotten_to_finish_y.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:32:26 -0800 family limited partnership is different from any other partnership, because only family members can hold “limited” partnership interests. A limited partner is one who has an ownership interest in a business, but has no formal control over its operation. Limited partners may, as a matter of practice, be engaged in the day-to-day affairs of the business, even serving in management positions, but when it comes to the “last word,” the general partner(s) has exclusive control. ]]> http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/the_family_limited_partnership.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/business/the_family_limited_partnership.html Small or Family Business Sat, 03 Jun 2006 14:35:10 -0800 Like you, I've recently been following the news and it's been an astonishing year of environmental challenges, hasn't it? Today I am reading about the devastating 7.6 earthquake in Kashmir and terrifying mountainside collapses in Guatemala. Two weeks ago Typhoon Damrey displaced 300,000 in southeast Asia. This followed a month of ever-more alarming news of unbelievable loss and stories of unpreparedness following Hurricane Katrina, evacuation nightmares and gas shortages in Hurricane Rita, a freak paralyzing snowstorm in the Dakotas and the dramatic beginning of Southern California's catastrophic fire season, predicted to be one of the most severe on record, owing to the torrential winter rains of ‘04-‘05. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/general/theres_no_substitute_for_self.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/general/theres_no_substitute_for_self.html General Advice Tue, 11 Oct 2005 18:11:34 -0800 Many parents with physically, emotionally or developmentally disabled children have not secured the child's financial future. A recent survey by Metropolitan Life shows that 60% of parents don't expect their child with special needs to be financially independent. Despite this candid acknowledgement, 68% of parents haven't written a will! and 29% have done nothing to plan for the child's financial future. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/special/special_needs_children.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/special/special_needs_children.html Special Situations Tue, 04 Oct 2005 15:09:58 -0800 Why would you choose a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning rather than a competent lawyer who seems experienced and may even charge less for his services? Well, ask yourself this question: if you needed to have a serious operation, would you choose a competent family physician to do it, or would you choose a doctor who is board certified in surgery? http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/why_you_need_a_certified_speci.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/why_you_need_a_certified_speci.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Fri, 01 Aug 2003 15:17:16 -0800 Do you recognize YOUR excuses?]]> http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/i_dont_have_a_current_estate_p.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/planning_tips/i_dont_have_a_current_estate_p.html Estate Planning Tools and Tips Fri, 21 Mar 2003 13:49:46 -0800 Our firm has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning needs. But we are often asked "How would you address estate planning for childless couples?" or "What about single people with no dependents?" Add to these categories the many families whose children will not need a significant inheritance, those who wish to help other family members or charities, and there is a substantial population of people who do not "fit" the traditional spouse and children planning concepts. http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/special/nokids_estate_planning_techniq.html http://www.griepplegal.com/articles/special/nokids_estate_planning_techniq.html Special Situations Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:47:15 -0800