Generational Planning

Adult Children
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How to Leave Assets to Adult Children from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

When considering how to leave assets to adult children, the first step is to decide how much each one should receive. Most parents want to treat their children fairly, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they should receive equal shares of your estate. For example, it may be desirable to give more to a child who is a teacher than to one who has a successful business, or to “compensate” a child who has been a primary caregiver.

Estate Planning Dream
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How Estate Planning Can Help You Dream About Your Future from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

A dream without a plan is simply a wish. Estate planning is not just about death and taxes — it puts you in the driver’s seat of your financial life, allowing you to set achievable goals. It is a great opportunity to focus on the legacy you want to leave behind for loved ones and your community, help you avoid the expense and delay of probate, as well as help you save on taxes.

charitable giving austin attorney liz nielsen
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Three Questions Your Estate Planning Lawyer Should Ask You About Charitable Giving from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

All estate planning attorneys should be talking with their clients about charitable giving during an initial consultation. Ignoring the possibility of donating to charity can result in a lost opportunity both to you as the client and to the community.

Here are three questions your attorney should be asking you about charitable giving, either on your initial client worksheet or during your initial consultation.

Estate Planning Lawyer Austin Texas Liz Nielsen Law
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Four Reasons Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Top 1 Percent by Austin Texas Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

There is a common misconception that estate plans are only for the ultra-rich – the top 1 percent, 10%, 20%, or some other arbitrary determination of “enough” money. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. People at all income and wealth levels can benefit from a comprehensive estate plan. Sadly, many have not sat down to put their legal house in order.

Maya Angelou's Heirs Feud
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Maya Angelou’s Heirs Feud Over Poet’s Legacy

Maya Angelou’s heirs are in a bitter fight over her legacy, according to this November 7, 2017, article from www.courthousenews.com.  Maya Angelou’s grandson allegedly is trying to gain control of the late poet’s intellectual property from his father and has bankrupted a company set up to manage her legacy. Maya Angelou’s son has accused her grandson, his son, of trying to cut him out of the proceeds from Caged Bird Legacy, the company that manages the intellectual property of the author and poet, including her copyrights.  Angelou, the beloved author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom.  After her death in 2014, 25% of her company’s proceeds were gifted to her grandson – but now, his father claims, Angelou’s grandson is raiding the coffers to fund an “extravagant” lifestyle and has allegedly borrowed hundreds of thousands from the company.  Angelou’s grandson has not responded publicly to the lawsuit.

Stories and Values in Estate Planning
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Money Isn’t Everything in Estate Planning

Money may be the most talked about wealth contained within a person’s estate, but the riches of their experience and wisdom can mean even more to family members down the line. Reinforcement of family traditions can be built into your estate plan alongside your wishes regarding your money, property, and belongings. After all, what really makes a family a family is its values and traditions — not the way its finances read on paper.

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