Posted on Sun Nov 26, 2017, on Estate Planning
From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Keeping the Family Home in the Family Most Recently Updated August 10, 2018. “I am the first homeowner in my family, and I worry that someday my children might need to return home to collect themselves. While I am alive, I will always keep […]
Klenk Law
Posted on Fri Nov 3, 2017, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Pros and Cons of a Living Trust Most Recently Updated August 10, 2018. Pros and Cons of a Living Trust A living trust is just like a will. It is a legal document. It spells out all of their desires regarding assets, dependents, and heirs. […]
Klenk Law
Posted on Mon Dec 12, 2016, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses a question about Amending a Revocable Trust. “Is amending a Revocable Trust difficult? How do I go about amending a Revocable Trust I formed in 1998, as I have some necessary updates?”
Klenk Law
Posted on Thu Nov 3, 2016, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “After being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, I have been thinking about forming a Revocable Trust. Who pays the income tax on a Revocable Trust?”
A Revocable Living Trust can be a reliable tool in helping you manage your assets while suffering from Alzheimer’s. But, you should plan carefully and implement checks and balances.
Klenk Law
Posted on Fri Sep 9, 2016, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “I have been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimers. I have heard that setting up an “unfunded trust” for long-term care might be a good idea. What is an unfunded trust and how is a trustthat is unfunded useful?”
When planning for Alzheimers, the term “unfunded trust” refers to a Revocable Living Trust which you set up but in which you currently put no assets. Because it is currently not “funded” with any assets, we call it an “unfunded trust.”
Klenk Law
Posted on Wed Feb 17, 2016, on Elder Financial Scams
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses providing protection from scams.
“My mother is having trouble managing her finances, and I discovered she wrote a check to some person who called her on the phone. It wasn’t much, but she was confused and in the future might get scammed out of a large sum by some telemarketer or criminal. She needs protection from scams. Can a revocable living trust or an Irrevocable Trusthelp protect her?”
Klenk Law
Posted on Thu Jan 28, 2016, on Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I have been reading about trusts to avoid probate. Can a trust help my estate avoid probate?
Trusts come in all shapes and sizes and can help you meet many different goals. If your goal is to avoid probate, you could use a Revocable Living Trust, or you could use any number of different Irrevocable Trusts. Both categories help your estate avoid probate.
Klenk Law
Posted on Wed Sep 9, 2015, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I had a Revocable Living Trust created several years ago, but I have not put anything into it. I own my Philadelphia home, a few bank accounts and investment accounts. I want everything to pass to my daughter at my death, but she lives in California, so I want the transfer to be easy. Should I move my house from my name into the Revocable Trust?
The goal you have stated in forming your Revocable Living Trust was to make things easier on your daughter who lives in California. Though your intentions are good, without moving the house into the trust you really have done nothing to help her.
The basic idea surrounding a Revocable Living Trust is that during your lifetime you either move your assets into the trust or you set things up so that at your death, they pour into the trust.
Klenk Law
Posted on Thu Jul 16, 2015, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I formed a Revocable Living Trust to avoid New York probate and named my two sons as the co-successor trustees. It seemed a good idea at the time, but now they are not speaking to one another. Should I change the trust?
Many New Yorkers have formed Revocable Living Trusts to avoid the expensive New York probate process. For the trust to work properly, after your death, you need a successor trustee to step in to pay your final bills, taxes and to then distribute the trust assets to your heirs.
Klenk Law
Posted on Wed Jul 15, 2015, on Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: How do I make sure the inheritance that I leave my daughter passes to my grandchildren at her death?
If you leave your daughter an inheritance outright, then-at her death-it will be available to satisfy any creditors or law suits she might have. It might even end up in her husband’s name, rather than passing to your grandchildren.
Klenk Law
Peter Klenk is the founding member of Klenk Law, a seven attorney boutique estate planning law firm. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and Florida. Peter Klenk received his Masters in Taxation LL.M. from NYU Law School and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He served his country in the Navy JAGC during Desert Storm. Easy to talk to, feel free to call Peter for an appointment. We will make the process as easy as possible!
"I worked for Peter Klenk for 4 wonderful years. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone at the firm. Everyone truly cares about their clients and has a strong sense of responsibility to get things done right. I would highly recommend Klenk Law!"
Flora Novick
I was referred to Peter after my divorce to put documents together to protect my assets. He suggested a number of documents that would help protect my children and their future. Also, he put together wills, power of attorney and living wills. I initially spoke with him on the phone, he took 30-40 minutes to understand my situation and explain the benefits of having such documents. After a week or two, I met with him in his office and signed the documents. Everything else was remote phone calls and emails. He re-explained these documents and what whom to share. I am in good hands.
Mr. Klenk has been easy to work with. I am confident he has given me good advice whenever I have called upon him. He has shown good work ethic and depth of knowledge in preparation of estate, wills, and trusts that I have worked with him on.
Klenk Law is an exceptional practice. Their fine lawyers and staff team up to produce excellent results for their clients. They excel at explaining the often cryptic laws and policies that govern estate planning right down to the complexities of the various "trust" frameworks. Peter himself manages each client together with his great team, and he has a rare quality to be both a walking encyclopedia of planning minutia and also one of the most likable lawyers I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. He is truly generous in intellect and in his personal approach to getting the "big picture" for complex family structures. I trust him implicitly to help me make the right choices for the future. In short, Klenk Law is a gem of a firm.
Peter is excellent. I had a very complicated situation with my parents' estate planning and potential Medicaid needs. Peter was very knowledgeable in estate planning matters, able to define the best solution for the situation. Additionally, he was congenial and able to communicate effectively to my senior citizen parents the benefits of estate planning. He earned my trust, and more importantly, my parents' trust in a 45 mins consultation period. Highly recommend Peter. He is very easy to work with.
Like another reviewer, I contacted Peter through his website using the free consultation link, for a question regarding PA inheritance taxes. The question was quite technical and difficult to explain, and the answer was nowhere to be found on the web. Peter grasped precisely what I was asking, and provided a clear, helpful response (with a touch of humor) the very next day.
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