Blog
Trusts and Taxes: Who Is Responsible?
With tax season upon us, you may be wondering about trusts and taxes. Who is accountable for the funds in a trust, and does a trust beneficiary have to pay taxes on what they inherit? Do Trusts Have to Pay Taxes? As a general rule, most trusts will have to pay taxes...
Do I Need to File a Tax Return on Behalf of the Deceased and the Estate?
Of all the responsibilities an estate executor or administrator has, filing taxes on behalf of the deceased can be one of the most important – and also, one of the most confusing. We’re looking at whether a personal representative must file income taxes for an...
What Happens If Your Will is Accidentally Damaged or Destroyed?
As much as we try to keep our important papers protected and organized – accidents happen. You may lose your Last Will and Testament in a fire or a flood. The paperwork might fly out of an open car window or unlocked trunk. Someone may accidentally shred your...
Trusts vs. Silent Trusts
The Benefits of a Trust in General One of the more appealing aspects of trusts, in general, is their privacy. Unlike other estate documents, trusts do not have to be filed with the local court. Someone cannot look up the details of a trust online or in court...
I’ve Been Appointed Estate Executor… Now What?
You may have recently found out that a family member or a close friend wants you to be their estate executor. Or, maybe a loved one has passed away, and you discovered that they named you estate executor in their will. What do you do? Should you accept the role? An...
Millennials and Estate Planning: How 2020 Influenced Decisions
Millennials, the generation born between the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, are known for their unique approach to lifestyles and milestones. A millennial is more likely to focus on education and their career, and wait on things like marriage and starting a family....
Modern Memorials: An Individualistic Approach
For thousands of years, memorials have served as status symbols and expressions of grief. From the pyramids in Egypt, to the mausoleums in Paris, to the elaborate headstones in Victorian England – our culture has long found importance in having a place to memorialize...
Can an HOA Force Its Residents to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
As the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more readily available in Georgia, homeowners’ associations and homeowners alike are beginning to wonder about how this will impact their local communities. With the vaccine available to the general public this spring – just as more...
Can I Claim My Home Office Expenses on My 2020 Taxes?
Over the past year, millions of people have transitioned from working in their usual office building to working from home. They set up their home workspace, purchased new office furniture and equipment, upgraded their internet, and bought other needed supplies. Some...
Estate Planning Essentials: What You Cannot Do with a Will
A Last Will and Testament is an essential estate planning document. With a will, a person can leave instructions about the distribution of their personal property and other assets. They can place finances into a trust. A person can also use their will to identify a...
From the Headlines: Understanding the Britney Spears Conservatorship
Pop star Britney Spears is back in the news, following the release of the new documentary Framing Britney Spears and a series of highly-publicized court appearances. At issue is Spears’ conservatorship, leading many viewers and fans to ask, “What exactly is a...
Are Electronic Wills Valid in Georgia?
Technology is revolutionizing the world as we know it, with innovations to almost every industry – including the legal field. Over the past few years, technology has reshaped how legal professionals communicate with clients and operate within the court system. With so...