Over the past few years there have been many changes with regard to income taxes, capital gains taxes, surtaxes, estate taxes, and fiduciary responsibilities. Transfer tax exemptions and portability are now “permanent” for the first time since 2000. The definition of marriage has been expanded to include more couples than ever before. Clients are living […]

If you’ve been putting off estate and disability planning, you’re not alone. Sitting down and formalizing directions for what to do if you’re disabled and unable to speak for yourself can generate real discomfort and unease in even the most pragmatic person — but it’s a vitally important thing to do. By identifying who you want

The National Association of Social Workers celebrates each year the nation’s unsung heroes: social workers who work hard daily to make an important difference in the lives of millions of people throughout the United States. At Bratton Law Group, we honor and sincerely thank the scores of social workers who tirelessly work to support and empower families

Blended families are becoming more and more the norm these days. Whether an original marriage ends in divorce or as a result of the death of a spouse, when people who have children from a previous marriage marry, there are many steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that everybody is comfortable and

When it comes time to start thinking about your long-term financial well being, there are a lot of tools available to help ensure that your assets will be handled in a way that best meets your goals and wishes. Trusts can be one of the most important of these tools. A trust is particularly valuable tool for

Though most people are aware of the need to have a will in advance of their death, there are many who neglect to do so, leaving their loved ones unsure as to what their wishes were regarding their estate. Even the estates of those individuals who have planned carefully and who leave behind comprehensive plans

There are a number of circumstances in the course of daily life when you may have need of a Power of Attorney, including when you need to sell a car or your home. Generally speaking, the paperwork that is signed in these types of scenarios is limited to those specific needs, and is referred to

Few people like to think about their own mortality, or what will happen after they are gone, but doing so is an important part of the responsibility of being an adult. If you own assets and do not have a plan in place for how you would like them dispersed after your death, then nobody

When planning for the long term future, many people are interested in making sure that their philanthropic interests are addressed and the charities that they are passionate about receive a portion of their assets. There are a variety of ways to address this while working on an estate plan, but one of the best is