Posted on Mon Dec 28, 2015, on Estate Litigation
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I have advertised the estate and paid all the valid creditors. However, a neighbor of my mother has made a claim for $10,000 that has no validity. Can I make distribution without paying him?
The quick answer is yes, but the correct answer is that you should not.
Klenk Law
Posted on Wed Dec 23, 2015, on Estate Planning
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Last year, my mother died in Chester County and named me as beneficiary of her life insurance. As my children were the contingent beneficiaries, I decided to disclaim the inheritance, so the insurance money passed to my children. I was recently in a car accident. If I am sued, can they claim that life insurance money?
Klenk Law
Posted on Mon Dec 21, 2015, on Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My only asset is a large individual retirement account (IRA). I am 79 years old and am worried that, in the next few years, I may have to move into assisted living or a nursing home. Can I move my IRA into an Irrevocable Trust to shelter it from creditors?
Klenk Law
Posted on Sat Dec 19, 2015, on Probate and Estate Administration
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father died a resident of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and named his girlfriend as beneficiary of his life insurance policy and pension. I was listed as a secondary beneficiary. Can my father give his life insurance and pension to his girlfriend instead of his children?
Klenk Law
Posted on Thu Dec 17, 2015, on Estate Planning
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My friend who lives in Philadelphia asked me to pay off his bills from his checking account if he passes away. Am I able to use that as proof or do I need something signed saying so?
Klenk Law
Posted on Tue Dec 15, 2015, on Trusts
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My wife’s and my estates are worth about $3,000,000, including a one million dollar life insurance policy on my life. At my death, my wife will receive the benefits from that policy. Upon both of our deaths, our assets pass to my son. Now that the federal estate taxexemption is over five million dollars, does an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust provide me any benefit?
Klenk Law
Posted on Mon Dec 14, 2015, on LGBT Estate Planning
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My partner is much older than I and I am worried about the costs of carrying for him in his old age. Would long term care Insurance be a good idea?
Klenk Law
Posted on Tue Dec 1, 2015, on Estate Planning
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I want to loan my son some money at a low rate, but I do not want to create a fight between him and my other children at my death. What do you suggest?
Interfamily loans can become the source of much conflict between the children of a deceased parent. I find the best way to defuse the situation is to document everything very clearly, to keep the family informed about the loan, and to address the loan in your will.
Documenting the loan can be very straightforward and the loan terms can be written out on one or two pages.
Klenk Law
Posted on Fri Nov 27, 2015, on IRA Trust
If you have named your children as beneficiaries of your individual retirement account (IRA), you have likely made a mistake that exposes the IRA to your children’s spouses, to their creditors and to easily avoidable future inheritance and estate taxes. Forming and naming an IRA Trust for your child as the beneficiary easily corrects this mistake.
Congress requires that all qualified retirement plans—including IRAs, SEP-IRAs, 401(k) plans, and 403(b) plans—must allow an IRA Trust to be named as a beneficiary. By doing so, Congress allows you to form an IRA Trust for your child that allows the Inherited plan to remain tax-deferred.
Klenk Law
Posted on Sat Nov 21, 2015, on Fees
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My dad died recently and his estate-planning attorney wants to charge us a percentage of the estate to act as the probate lawyer. I see that you charge hourly. Which is better?
I have found over the years that charging a percentage of the estate as the estate’s lawyer is seldom fair. Usually the percentage is disproportionate to the work done. I find that being paid hourly for actual work done is fair for everyone. Either way is legal and proper, I just feel more comfortable charging by the hour.
Klenk Law
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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!
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"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
Can't recommend Attorney Daniella Horn and paralegal Jackie Mettinger enough. They have been incredible to work with through the administration of my aunt's estate. They are knowledgable, patient, kind, and always quick to respond, and not to mention super affordable. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I will definitely be recommending you to anyone who needs this type of help in the future.
Wonderful Experience working with the team
Peter Klenk was great at explaining complicated issues and making them understandable. He and his team were extremely efficient and I highly recommend them for the creation of wills and trusts.
Had our will done with Peter and his team. Made the process super easy and understandable. His team lead by Laura Parisi were always available for questions and assistance. Professional and personable they made what can be a challenging experience hopeful and graceful. Cannot recommend their services enough!
I can't tell you how satisfied I am with this law firm. They were competent and helped me with a very difficult situation. They got the job done in a timely fashion and I am so happy I found them. If you find yourself in a difficult and contentious probate situation I highly recommend this firm. There is just no way I could have had this positive outcome without them. I worked with 2 different lawyers prior to hiring them and neither of them could get the job done like Klenk. Daniella Horn was a pleasure to work with and highly competent.
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