One-stop Estate Planning. If you know someone who has an uncomplicated estate and basic planning objectives, call us to discuss "One-stop Estate Planning." Unlike most law firms which require several visits to complete planning, our office can discuss, plan and execute MOST plans at the first visit---all for a cost of one-third the fees charged by other firms. This program is particularly beneficial for young marrieds who can't afford "large firm fees," as well as for anyone desiring comprehensive, efficient and reasonably-priced protection. This is no "bare-bones" plan: All plans include a living trust, pour-over will, financial and medical powers of attorney, complete retitling of assets, our deluxe EstatePlanner Documents Organizer, and complimentary document revisions for one year.

Compare Funeral Costs. Want to compare funeral costs in your area? Go to eFuneral.com for a list of funeral providers near you and a free comparison of their charges. Again, no charge for this service, and your information is kept confidential.

Living Trusts Afford Privacy -- Wills Don't! To be effective, a will must be probated after your death. Because a filed probate is "public record," anyone can obtain a copy of your will and learn how and to whom your estate was distributed. A living trust, however, does not require probate, and thus the details of your estate distribution remain private. Only the trust's beneficiaries are privy to the extent of your assets and who receives them. Whitney Houston, the singer, opted to use a will instead of a living trust; her will, including those who have inherited from her, are now "public record," and available on the Internet. One caveat: For maximum privacy, remember that only those assets titled in the name of the trust are private and subject to its terms.

Missing Money! Here's a FREE website that allows you to search for unclaimed money or assets that may be owing to you or those you know. There is no charge for this service and it IS legitimate. Missingmoney.com

Insurance Companies No Longer Offering Long-term Care Insurance. . . What to do? Excellent article on protecting yourself and your estate from the high costs of long-term care: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203961204577269842991276650.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Estate Tax Exclusion Scheduled to be Reduced on January 1, 2013. Currently, the federal estate tax exemption (the amount an individual can pass to his or her heirs free of estate tax) is $5,000,000. However, under current law, that exclusion amount is scheduled to reduce to $1,000,000 on Jan. 1, 2013. Will Congress act before January 1, 2013 to prevent the scheduled reversion? Although surveys show that most estate planners believe that the $5,000,000 exclusion will remain, it is really impossible to predict the final outcome (and exclusion). That's all the more reason to review and possibly amend our estate plans by the end of 2012. For larger estates worth $1,000,000 or more, it might be wise to implement a "disclaimer provision" amendment, which gives the greatest flexibility to a surviving spouse and still guards against an unexpected estate tax hit. For more information about this timely amendment, please contact us.