Many people think that whatever their Will or Trust says is what goes. Well, this is somewhat incorrect. The reality is that if your asset has a named beneficiary, then that beneficiary designation takes precedence over any distribution your Will or Trust may make. For example: Your money market account you own alone has [...]
Category Archives: Beneficiary Designations
September 29, 2011
Should You Treat Your Children Equally?
We have a running joke in my family that my youngest sibling (my brother) has always been the favorite. Maybe it is because he was the baby in an Italian family or maybe it was because he was the only son. All kidding aside, I know my parents love us each equally. They do love [...]
January 21, 2011
Don’t Risk Your Inheritance – Name Alternate Beneficiaries
As a Charlotte probate attorney, I help families every day choose who they want to name as the beneficiary of their estate when they pass away. While this may seem like an easy task, it can actually get quite complicated if you have very specific wishes as to whom you want to receive your assets [...]
December 31, 2010
Minimizing Probate Fees in Mecklenburg County and Union County by Using Transfer on Death (TOD) Accounts
Minimizing probate costs or avoiding probate all together is a very real concern for people who want to make sure certain assets such as stocks, bonds, brokerage and bank accounts automatically pass to their heirs upon their death. In such a scenario, Transfer on Death Accounts (also known as TOD’s) can be a very useful [...]
December 10, 2010
It’s Snowbird Season…Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Leave You Out in the Cold!
When I used to live up north, it seemed as though 9 out of 10 people I knew were snowbirds! Flocking to LaGuardia and JFK taking “flight” every winter to head to a warmer climate during the long northeast winter months. Then like clockwork, return around Easter time to get away from the heat and [...]
December 7, 2010
Who Will be the Guardian of Your Children?
As a mom, the thought of leaving my daughter to grow up without one or God forbid both of her parents is heartbreaking. No one could possibly raise my child as I know her dad and I could (not that we are perfect!) As a parent, how do you decide who will raise your children? [...]
November 30, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: ARE YOU LEGALLY PREPARED FOR AN ACCIDENT OVER THE DANGEROUS HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sabrina Winters Phone: (704) 843-1446 Email: swinters@sabrinawinterslaw.com With the stores crowded, traffic horrendous and holiday parties in full swing, the period between Thanksgiving and New Years Day is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous travel times of the year. Charlotte lawyer, Sabrina Winters, urges families to be prepared by making necessary [...]
November 30, 2010
A Truly Unique Holiday Gift!
As your Charlotte estate and tax-planning lawyer, I would like to ask how your holiday shopping is going? If you are like me you are trying your best to fit holiday shopping into every day family and work life, running errands and all other day-to-day obligations. What if I told you to skip the malls [...]
November 22, 2010
Planning for Special Needs Children
If your child is receiving certain types of government assistance which they are receiving based on their assets, a direct inheritance may potentially disqualify them from receiving that assistance. How do you get around this without actually disinheriting your child? Simply do not provide for a direct inheritance to them and instead create a Special [...]
November 15, 2010
How Does Bankruptcy Affect Estate Planning
There were recent reports that Wall-Street economist have declared the recession officially over. I am not certain through whose eyes they determined this. I look around and still see far too many families struggling to recover to consider it over. And while I acknowledge things may be improving on some level, I still find it [...]