Kelli B. Grant of CNBC has this helpful article recommending different estate plan pieces to think about in preparing for the unthinkable: if you and your immediate family and/or heirs die suddenly or together. The article recommends several things: (1) a simultaneous death clause, (2) a survivorship clause, (3) the Titanic clause, (4) double checking beneficiary designations, (5) titles on jointly owned assets, (6) property distribution, and (7) special needs trusts for beneficiaries as needed.

My law firm, Johnson Law KC LLC, works with clients on various estate and charitable planning needs to help clients take care of their legal needs quickly and inexpensively, and has years of experience counseling clients on a variety of legal issues. Call (913.707.9220) or email me (steve@johnsonlawkc.com) today to schedule a free, convenient consultation.

(c) 2017, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

The ABA’s RPTE section has these Heckerling Reports from the Jan 9-13, 2017 conference in Florida: intro 1 and 2, nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

My law firm, Johnson Law KC LLC, works with clients on estate, trust, and elder law needs. Call (913.707.9220) or email (steve@johnsonlawkc.com) today to schedule a free, convenient consultation.

(c) 2017, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

Happy New Year! Hot off the presses on this cold winter 2017 morning, we have this Kansas Court of Appeals decision about standing and trust modification, from Marysville, Kansas (a small north eastern town). In Re Trust of Clarence Hildebrandt asks if a successor trustee to a Kansas trust has standing to ask the court to modify the trust (pp. 4-5).  Is changing to a different successor trustee (an independent, 3rd party) violating a material purpose of the trust (pp. 5-9)? And does asking a court to modify a trust trigger a no contest clause (p. 9)? The Court answers these questions and more in a brief 9 page opinion.

My law firm, Johnson Law KC LLC, works with clients on various estate and trust issues to help clients take care of their legal needs quickly and inexpensively, protect clients’ interests in litigation, and has years of experience counseling clients on a variety of legal issues. Call (913.707.9220) or email me (steve@johnsonlawkc.com) today to schedule a free, convenient consultation.

(c) 2017, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.