March 5, 2019
Don’t Leave Your Family With A Cash Poor Estate
To help avoid family conflict, be sure that there will be adequate cash available in your estate to pay ongoing expenses until your home is sold.
Feb. 26, 2019
3rd Anniversary Celebration (Episode #142)
As we begin our 4th year of "Tuesday with Tom", Tom reviews a number of the most popular topics that have been covered during the last 3 years.
Feb. 19, 2019
What Can Happen If You Do Not Get a Deed When You Pay Off Your Land Contract? (Episode # 141)
In today’s episode, Tom discusses the headaches and expenses that you can incur if you do not get a deed from the seller when you pay off your land contract.
Feb. 12, 2019
Since My Home is For Sale, Do I Have to Put It In My Trust? (Episode #140)
In today’s episode, Tom answer a question that many clients ask when they have a home or other land for sale, and they are working on funding their Living Trust.
Feb. 5, 2019
When Does My Power Of Attorney Take Effect? (Episode # 139)
In today's episode, Tom describes when your Power of Attorney for Finances and your Power of Attorney For Health Care become effective so that your named Agent has authority to act on your behalf.
Jan. 29, 2019
UTMA…a Trust Alternative for Minors (Episode # 138)
Tom explains how a transfer of assets under Michigan's Uniform Transfer To Minor's Act (UTMA) can be used to provide trust like benefits for a minor until age 21
Jan. 22, 2019
When to Keep Your Adult Children’s Inheritance in Your Trust (Episode # 137)
In today's episode, Tom discusses several reasons why it might be better to leave your assets in your trust for your adult children, instead of having them inherit the property outright.
Jan. 15, 2019
How to Protect Your Assets from Creditors with a Michigan Domestic Asset Protection Trust
In today’s episode, Tom explains what a Michigan Domestic Asset Trust is, and how it can be used to protect assets from your creditors.
Jan. 8, 2019
To Get Remarried…or Not To Get Remarried? What Seniors Should Know (Episode #135)
Tom discusses 3 important issues that every senior should consider before getting remarried.
Dec. 18, 2018
3 Year End Charitable Gift Ideas - Top 10 Episodes From 2018 [Episode # 134]
Tom suggests 3 ways to remember your favorite charities at Christmas time, and counts down the top 10 episodes from 2018.
Dec. 11, 2018
Your Power Of Attorney is Not Unlimited (Episode #133)
Tom reviews the various limitations that apply to both financial and medical powers of attorney
Dec. 4, 2018
A 529 College Education Plan…The Perfect Christmas Gift for Children or Grandchildren [Episode #132]
In today’s episode, Tom explains why using a 529 Plan can be a great way to pay for the costs of college, or K-12 private school tuition, for children or grandchildren.
Nov. 27, 2018
Should You Record The Deed Transferring Property to Your Trust? [Episode #131]
Tom discusses a number of issues that need to be considered in deciding whether to record a deed to your Trust, including: Mortgage “due on sale” clauses, uncapping property taxes, homeowners Insurance coverage, protecting Tenancy by Entireties...
Nov. 20, 2018
Can I Use A Beneficiary Designation To Transfer My Business At The Time Of My Death? [Episode #130]
In his continuing discussion about using beneficiary designations to implement your estate plan, Tom discusses how you can use POD or TOD designations to transfer your Michigan LLC or Corporation at the time of your death.
Nov. 13, 2018
Get It In Writing….
Tom discusses the importance of getting written confirmation of your beneficiary designations, and the problems that can result to your heirs when you don’t.
Nov. 6, 2018
What Happens When The Beneficiary On An Account Dies Before You?
Tom discusses the use of beneficiary designations to avoid probate, and what happens if your named beneficiary dies before you.
Oct. 30, 2018
Certificates of Deposit as Investments, and What is a CD Ladder?
Tom talks about Certificate of Deposit as investments, and how to make your CD yields higher with a CD ladder.
Oct. 23, 2018
The Assisted Living Home You Want to Live In
While Tom is meeting with clients in the UP, enjoy this archived episode.....If you or a loved one is thinking about moving to an assisted living facility, explore the options available where the focus is on you and the quality of your life. Tom...
Oct. 16, 2018
4 Myths About Having a Will
If you have a Will, or are thinking about having a Will as part of your Estate Plan, be sure you understand what Wills do and do not do. I discussed 4 common myths that people have about Wills.
Oct. 9, 2018
Looking Beyond the Law to Solve a Legal Problem
Tom discusses a situation where we recommended that a client’s daughter contact her representatives in Washington DC to resolve a legal problem, that ended up saving her thousands of dollars in attorney fees.
Oct. 2, 2018
The Anatomy of a Deed
Tom explains the differences between Warranty Deeds and Quit Claim Deeds, recording requirements in Michigan, different ways to own real estate, and what a Ladybird Deed is.
Sept. 25, 2018
Should You Have An Irrevocable Trust?
Tom explains what an Irrevocable Trust is, how it differs from a Revocable Trust, and how it might be used to avoid or minimize federal estate taxes, serve as an asset protection vehicle, or provide a tool for advanced Medicaid planning or Veterans...
Sept. 18, 2018
The Best Way to Disinherit Children
Do you have a child that you don’t want to receive any of your estate? Or, maybe you want to be sure that your estate does not to end up going to your child’s spouse or creditors. In today’s episode, Tom discuses the best ways to disinherit a child,...
Sept. 11, 2018
Will the State of Michigan Take Your Home After You Receive Medicaid?
In this archived episode, Tom discusses Michigan’s Medicaid Estate Recovery law that requires the State of Michigan to recover the cost of Medicaid benefits that were paid for you from your estate after you die. Without proper planning, this can...