by Ethan Okura | Jan 8, 2021 | Trusts and Wills
For most couples who do not have trusts, if one dies, everything goes to the spouse. If a married couple will have more than $5.49 million of assets (including life insurance death benefits), then having everything go to the spouse could cause an estate tax problem....
by Ethan Okura | Dec 11, 2020 | Trusts and Wills
Although a Revocable Living Trust is good for avoiding probate (and for married couples, an A-B Trust can reduce or eliminate estate taxes), it cannot protect your home from nursing home costs. Some years back, the State of Hawaii passed a Medicaid rule: If your home...
by Ethan Okura | Nov 12, 2020 | Trusts and Wills
Last month we shared information on funding your Revocable Living Trust. This month we decided to go back to the very beginning and explain what a Revocable Trust is and how they started in the first place. What is a Revocable Living Trust? Trusts began in...
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 | 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...
