by Ethan Okura | Oct 14, 2018 | Articles, Trusts and Wills
The Role of the Successor Trustee: What Am I Supposed to Do Now? By Ethan R. Okura We have often seen this scenario: A parent, sibling, or dear friend has finally gotten around to doing their initial estate planning. You are so happy for them. And then...
by Ethan Okura | Sep 21, 2018 | Articles, Estate Taxes and Gift Taxes, News, Trusts and Wills
Aretha Franklin: Following in Prince’s Footsteps to Pay Millions in Death Taxes By Ethan R. Okura A little over two years ago I wrote about Prince, the music recording legend, and how he passed away without a will. I detailed some of the problems that his...
by Ethan Okura | Aug 10, 2018 | Articles, Wills
“UNDUE INFLUENCE” AND OTHER WILL PROBLEMS By: Ethan R. Okura In previous columns, I have addressed the subject of financial abuse of the elderly. This usually involves outright stealing or fraud. However, there is another form of financial abuse that is...
by Ethan Okura | Jul 13, 2018 | Articles, Trusts and Wills
An Ethical Will: The Importance of Passing Down Your Values, Not Just Your Assets By Ethan R. Okura Have you heard the proverb “Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves in Three Generations?” Or perhaps you’ve heard the saying as “Rags to Riches to...
by Ethan Okura | Jun 10, 2018 | Medicaid and Nursing Home Costs, Articles, Asset Protection
In last month’s column, I focused on the history of Medicaid and discussed some of the difficulties that arise when dealing with Medicaid’s many laws, rules and policies. I also told you about some of the problems that people have encountered when applying for...
by Ethan Okura | May 7, 2018 | Medicaid and Nursing Home Costs, Asset Protection
Applying For Long Term Care Medicaid: Can You Do It On Your Own? By Ethan R. Okura Medicaid was created in 1965 as Title XIX of the Social Security Act, alongside Medicare, which was Title XVIII of the Act, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Medicaid is a joint...
by Ethan Okura | Apr 6, 2018 | Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives, News
Legislative Update: New Death With Dignity Law Passed By Ethan R. Okura Recently, the Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill that gives terminally ill patients an option to take prescription medication that will cause them to pass away peacefully in their...
by Ethan Okura | Mar 29, 2018 | Articles, Asset Protection, Medicaid and Nursing Home Costs, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives, Trusts and Wills
WHAT OUT OF STATE CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW TO HELP THEIR AGING PARENTS IN HAWAII By Ethan R. Okura We often have clients who raised their families here in Hawaii, and then sent their children off to the mainland or elsewhere in the world to pursue their...
by Ethan Okura | Feb 15, 2018 | Articles
THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT By Ethan R. Okura In November 2017, I wrote an article about the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). There were quite a few changes laid out in the proposed new law and there has been a lot of confusion as the bill went through...
by Ethan Okura | Jan 24, 2018 | Articles, Estate Taxes and Gift Taxes, Medicaid and Nursing Home Costs
ESTATE PLANNING UPDATE FOR 2018 By: Ethan R. Okura Happy New Year! The following is the 2018 update of important numbers used in estate planning and Medicaid planning in Hawai‘i. How much money and property can a person have at the time of death without paying...
