Everyone loves spring cleaning, right? O.K., that might just be what my mother told me to get me to clean up my room when I was a little girl. I will confess that as a small child I saw absolutely no need to spend time cleaning my room, and growing up in Florida the concept of Spring was a bit … [Read More...]
Danielle McCluskey
Michigan Estate & Probate Attorney
Spring Cleaning for Estate Planning
Spring into Estate Planning
It is that time of the year......Spring Estate Review Planning sessions!! (I do provide my clients with a no-cost estate plan review, but even if you aren't a client, I hope that you will take out your estate plan, dust it off, read it and make sure it still works for your life). This week I had … [Read More...]
The times they are a changing…..but you still need an estate plan!
Regardless of your thoughts about the new administration, one of the hallmarks of this administration's legislative agenda is significant tax reform. And one of the campaign promises? Eliminate estate taxes. Well, many people think, if there is no estate tax, there is no need to plan! As … [Read More...]
May the Luck of the Irish be with you!
There is an Irish proverb "where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth". All too often, people speak in a way that is different than the estate plan that they leave. Prospective Clients often contact me to ask why the estate plan does not reflect the statements made by their loved one in life. … [Read More...]
Oh what wonders we can find!
Well, this week one of my assistants is off traveling out of the country, and she is going alone. While that decision was not mine to make, one of my concerns was, not surprisingly, how do things in your life get handled if the trip does not go as planned. Of course, Woless (as my Wonderful Legal … [Read More...]
Durable Brain Power!
The prospect of taking care of a sick or disabled loved one can be very difficult. As a probate lawyer, I help my clients work through their concerns and worries about becoming a caregiver. And in my own life, I came face-to-face with the reality this week, when we discovered my mom had a stroke. … [Read More...]
Getting Hitched? Avoid Stress and Plan Your Joint Estate!
Believe it or not, I was once a young woman with big ambitions and dreams. With hard work and dedication, I've accomplished many of them. I will always remember what it felt like at the beginning of my life and career, on the precipice of my future. Young people today have more opportunities than … [Read More...]
“Wealthcare”: The Importance of a Financial Power of Attorney
I was reading this week's issue of The Economist, when I came across an article that was not only intriguing, but very relevant to the work I do as a probate and estate planning attorney. The article, "Not Losing It: Cognitive Decline and Banking" revolves around the very pertinent, yet too-rarely … [Read More...]
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Plan Enough!
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the estate of everyone's favorite moonwalker, Michael Jackson, could be in hot water with the most beloved of federal government agencies - the IRS. Most would shrug their shoulders at this news - indeed, newspapers have never lacked for … [Read More...]
Estate Planning for Pet Lovers
Just over ten years ago, in December 2006, I received a little bundle of joy. She was the tiniest thing, a pug with shiny black fur, dark eyes and a little button nose - my sweet and sassy princess, Sweet Pea. When little “Pea” joined our family, she instantly stole the spotlight, and my heart. I … [Read More...]
Winter Musings
Although I am not the biggest fan of the season of winter, one of the things I appreciate most about the season is the chance to rethink my life’s priorities, and reorganize and plan accordingly. I am not sure what is about winter—the stark landscape, the extra time inside due to the weather, or the … [Read More...]
Champion Your Interests!
Anthony Dirrell is a middleweight boxing champion born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Having won 30 out of the 32 races he has fought, Anthony is again gearing up to regain his 168-pound world champion title. He is set to face-off with Hungarian boxer Norbert Nemesapati in Miami this … [Read More...]