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 | Estate Planning, 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 | Estate Planning, 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 | Estate Planning, Trusts and 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...
