Information Center: Estate Planning

We so often hear that hard work is the path to achieving the American dream. But retaining as much of our earnings as possible for our families can be a challenge. An estate planning attorney can work with you to assure that your hard work results in the accumulation of assets that are protected from liabilities. Asset protection planning can help you to ensure that gift and estate tax liabilities are minimized for your family after you have gone.

Free Information about Estate Planning

Estate planning can be a complicated process. At Reinheimer Law Office, we believe that education can be an important step. We believe that a lawyer's job involves making certain that you to understand all of your options. We are committed to doing that job right.
Below, we have provided a great deal of information about estate planning. After you have read through it, we encourage you to get in touch with us to discuss your case more specifically with an experienced attorney. E-mail us or call us at 248-972-5525. Our law firm is available to serve people in Bloomfield Hills and the surrounding parts of Michigan.

Estate Planning - An Overview

Estate planning allows an individual to plan for his or her lifetime objectives and to provide direction about the disposition of his or her assets after death. Estate planning can include wills and trusts as well as powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Estate planning is impacted by state and federal law, and any individual may find that more elaborate or creative legal means are necessary for his or her situation. Some of these more complex techniques include trusts, family limited partnerships (FLPs), and limited liability companies (LLCs). An estate planning lawyer from Steven Reinheimer in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, can be an essential ally in assuring that your estate planning goals are understood and carried out. If you have estate planning-related legal questions, call Steven Reinheimer today to schedule a consultation.
Read More

Asset Protection and Estate Planning

An important goal of estate planning is to protect income and assets from creditors’ claims and tax collection. While many people think asset protection involves shady or dishonest techniques, there are many ways to protect financial reserves, personal property, real estate, and other assets for retirement or for future generations. In addition to federal and state laws that exempt certain types of property from creditors’ claims, taxation, or both, there are numerous estate planning tools that may be able to shield assets from future creditors and reduce or eliminate estate or income taxation. If you are interested in working with an estate planning attorney to create a plan to protect your assets, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
Read More

Estate Planning Needs of the Elderly

Elder law deals with the legal, financial, and health needs of senior citizens. The country’s average age is advancing all the time, and now even baby-boomers are dealing with health issues and legal concerns they had not anticipated. In addition to estate planning, elder law attorneys also help with preparing for long-term healthcare needs, applying for government programs, addressing financial fraud, combating physical abuse, and establishing guardianships and conservatorships. If you have elder law or estate planning-related legal questions, call our firm today to schedule a consultation with an estate planning lawyer.
Read More

Wills and Trusts

A will is a document that tells a person’s family or heirs and the courts how to distribute his or her money and property. A will is a basic estate planning tool, and a current and valid will is the best way to make sure your property is distributed according to your wishes and your family is taken care of after you’re gone. Many people also use trusts in conjunction with their will, as an independent estate planning tool, or both. Whether you want to prepare your first will or you are interested in updating your estate plan or exploring trusts, an estate planning lawyer can help you tailor a plan to your needs.
Read More

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document in which a person (the principal) designates and authorizes another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to transact business or make certain decisions on his or her behalf. When a power of attorney is in effect, the agent essentially steps into the shoes of the principal and makes decisions that are legally binding on the principal. Powers of attorney can grant broad, general authority (known as a general power of attorney) or they can limit the attorney-in-fact's power to act on behalf of the principal to particular situations (known as a special power of attorney). Because there are many different types of powers of attorney available to address a variety of situations, powers of attorney are extremely useful estate planning tools. If you are interested in drafting a power of attorney, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney.
Read More

Estate Planning Resource Links

How Much Estate Tax Will You Pay? 
This estate tax calculator adds up many different types of assets to get an estimated estate tax figure for your current estate.

Federal Estate Tax Laws 
The Federal Estate Tax laws start at Section 2001 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Federal Gift Tax Laws 
The Federal Gift Tax laws start at Section 2501 of the Internal Revenue Code. The estate and gift tax laws should be looked at together because there are many overlapping provisions; state laws should also be considered.

Social Security Administration Retirement Planner 
The federal Social Security Administration provides retirement planning and disability benefit information from this Web site.

Administration on Aging 
List of resources to connect older persons, caregivers and professionals to important federal, national and local programs.