Beneficiaries Archives | Grady H. Williams, Jr. LL.M, Attorneys at Law

Category archives: Beneficiaries

Achieving Peace of Mind During a Time of Change and Uncertainty through Estate Planning
4 years ago
We are living in a time of change and ongoing uncertainty. During the last month we experienced a change in U.S. government leadership from the Trump to the Biden Administration, and with this change comes the potential for new policies that may potentially affect many aspects of our lives, includin... [read more]

What are the Benefits of A Revocable Living Trust?
6 years ago
We're often asked by clients if they would benefit from the use of a Revocable Living Trust. Our answer is that a Revocable Living Trust is an excellent way to manage property and other assets during their lifetime and also serves to transfer assets to your loved ones after death (without costly and... [read more]

Elder Law Attorneys and Estate Planning
6 years ago
We're often asked what it means to be an Elder Law Attorney, and if it is the same as being an Estate Planning Attorney. Our answer is that while Estate Planning is an important aspect of Elder Law, an Elder Law Attorney is concerned with much more than only creating Wills and Trusts. As Elder Law A... [read more]

Pooled Trusts: Should You Consider Taking a Dip?
6 years ago
Most special needs trusts (SNTs) are set up to benefit one individual. But it’s possible to contribute to a trust where the funds of many people with special needs are “pooled.” This kind of trust, called a pooled or (d)(4)(C) trust, may be a better option for some people than the conventional SN... [read more]

How We Help Clients Avoid Probate
6 years ago
One question that we're often asked by clients is how they can protect their family's privacy and avoid a costly probate process. Our answer is that summary and formal probate administration can be a long and expensive court process, and we can use a number of Estate Planning tools to avoid proba... [read more]

Be Careful About Putting Only One Spouse's Name on a Reverse Mortgage
6 years ago
A recent case involving basketball star Caldwell Jones demonstrates the danger in having only one spouse's name on a reverse mortgage. A federal appeals court has ruled that an insurance company may foreclose on a reverse mortgage after the death of the borrower, Mr. Jones, even though Mr. Jones’ wi... [read more]

Are 529 Plans the Best Way to Save for SSI Beneficiaries’ Education Expenses?
6 years ago
For many families, Section 529 College Savings Plans are an excellent investment tool when saving money for their child’s educational expenses. But if the child obtains Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, families should be cautious in using a Section 529 plan. 529 plans, named for a pro... [read more]

Say a Little Prayer: Aretha Franklin Had No Will, and a Child With Special Needs
6 years ago
According to court documents, legendary singer Aretha Franklin did not have a will when she died, despite reportedly having a son with special needs. The lack of a will opens up the intensely private singer’s estate to public scrutiny and unnecessary costs, and means that there are no specific provi... [read more]

Fear of Losing Home to Medicaid Contributed to Elder Abuse Case
6 years ago
A California daughter and granddaughter's fear of losing their home to Medicaid may have contributed to a severe case of elder abuse. If the pair had consulted with an elder law attorney, they might have figured out a way to get their mother the care she needed and also protect their house. A... [read more]

Why Young Families Need Estate Planning
6 years ago
We are often asked why young families need Estate Planning. Our response is that there are numerous, important reasons why young families need Estate Planning to protect themselves, their families, and their futures. Some of these Estate Planning considerations include: naming Beneficiaries for y... [read more]

How Complicated is Administering a Trust?
6 years ago
A question we're often asked by clients is if they need to use an Attorney for a Trust Administration. A Trust Administration is a formal process managed by the Trustee of the Trust. The Trustee has a fiduciary relationship with the beneficiaries of the Trust. It is essential that the terms of a tru... [read more]

Feds Expand Oversight of Representative Payees for SSDI and SSI Recipients
6 years ago
For most Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues monthly checks directly to the recipients. However, where the recipients are incapable of making their own financial decisions, the SSA sends the... [read more]