Ashley Flotte’s Legal Blog

As the year draws to a close, most of us start thinking about our ‘New Year’s Resolutions.’ Year after year, it seems the most popular choices include resolving to lose weight, get organized, spend more time with family, quit smoking/drinking, or donate time to charity. At Smith & Garg, we wish you and your families [...]

[Read more →]

                 Advance directives (such as a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, or HIPAA Release) are an important component of any well-prepared estate plan. They are legal documents that direct how your affairs are to be handled or how decisions are to be made in the event you are incapacitated [...]

[Read more →]

                As we approach the close of 2008, it’s important to recall the wealth transfer tax changes that are heading our way in the new year. Changes in the amounts that may be transferred free of tax in 2009 are being increased on both the federal estate tax and gift tax fronts.
                The Economic [...]

[Read more →]

                This is a very common question, and one that is very important to address. Why hire an attorney to prepare your Will when legal software, internet downloads, and office supply store forms abound? Easy fixes and DIYs offer to fulfill your estate planning needs for a low, low price in the comfort of your [...]

[Read more →]

           The thought of discussing lifetime gifting with your estate planning attorney may seem counterintuitive. After all, one typically visits their estate planning attorney to discuss matters such as distributing assets at death or planning for incapacity. Gifting, however, often serves a direct role in planning your estate, particularly when it comes to wealth transfer [...]

[Read more →]