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How long does your estate plan last?   When is it a good time to meet with your lawyer to go over and change your estate plan? Answering this question depends on your goals and when in your life you … Continued

What are your goals with your estate plan?   Hi, it’s Guy DiMartino. I’m in Northwest Indiana estate planning and probate lawyer. Today I’d like to talk a little bit about, when you’re getting together with a lawyer regarding your … Continued

Advanced Directive Myths in Indiana   Today I’d like to talk a little bit about a common myth or mistake regarding advanced directives or living wills.  Here is the nature of the conversation that I had with somebody about what they wanted in … Continued

The look back period is important when qualifying for Medicaid.   The look back period is the five year period before the date in which a person would qualify for Medicaid. Many folks think they can give away their assets … Continued

What’s this whole step up in basis thing?   When we talk basis, we are talking about taxes. Generally speaking, basis equals cost. In the estate planning practice many times folks will want to get rid of their real property … Continued

Covid-19 and Estate Planning Issues   We’ve heard stories all over the place of folks becoming deathly ill within days because of the Coronavirus. These stories bring up a couple of issues. First, life is precious and fragile and can … Continued

Make sure you actually complete your estate plan   I recently reviewed a matter where the Decedent’s prepared a trust in the 1990s and passed away 20+ years later. Family members had copies of the trust and they were arguing … Continued

In 2020 – Why you probably don’t have to worry about Estate Taxes?   The truth is that unless your are super wealthy, 11.2 million for the individual or 22.4 million for a couple, there is no need to worry … Continued

Indiana Supreme Court Relaxes Notary Rules for Estate Planning Documents   On March 31, 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court relaxed the signing requirements for estate planning documents in light of the Covid-19 – coronavirus. This is a great move, especially … Continued

Will Aspirin Help Dementia?   A long term study was published in the Journal Neurology that looked at the effects on aspirin in helping dementia. The theory was that some dementia is called by decreased blood supply in the small vessels … Continued