With our society becoming increasingly mobile and international travel becoming more affordable than ever before, families and family-like relationships have steadily grown far more diverse in terms of citizenship. It is no longer uncommon for spouses from different countries to retain citizenship in their homelands. Many couples split their time between the United States and […]
Blended Families
The Lifetime QTIP Trust (Or How to Maintain Control of Your Estate and Keep Spouse No. 2 Happy) from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
Estate planning for couples in a second or subsequent marriage can be tricky, especially if the size of their estates is disproportionate. One solution for allowing the well-to-do spouse to maintain control of their property and wealth–but keep their other spouse happy–is the “Lifetime QTIP Trust.” The Basics of Creating a Lifetime QTIP Trust In […]
Planning for Stepchildren and Step-Grandchildren, by Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
The structure of families has changed in the United States: According to statistics cited by the Pew Research Center, six out of ten women who remarry are in blended families, and in about half of those remarriages, stepchildren live with the remarried couple. If you or your grown children are part of a blended family, […]
Can I Make Estate Plans Without My Spouse? from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
The average American family has changed a great deal over the last few decades. The assumption that a couple will share finances, tax obligations, and a last name is one that does not necessarily apply in the 21st century. There are more options than ever before to keep your finances, identity, and future plans separate. […]