Karen L. Stewart, an attorney and CPA, has 25 years of experience in estate planning. Karen's estate plans are affordable, fixed fee plans that are in compliance with Michigan and Federal estate laws (a danger in using internet do-it-yourself forms). She works with each client to prepare a custom estate plan that meets the client's goals, avoids probate and minimizes estate taxes.
She educates clients on Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Ladybird deeds, and how to choose executors and other agents. Karen gives her clients the information needed to fund their trusts and protect their assets. After loved ones have passed, Karen assists families in administering estates. Serving the following communities: Novi, Southfield, Livonia, Northville, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Commerce Township, West Bloomfield, Plymouth, Canton, Milford, South Lyon, Walled Lake, Waterford and Wixom.
A good estate plan provides for both what happens after our death and during a period of incapacity. You do not need to be wealthy to have an estate plan.
She educates clients on Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Ladybird deeds, and how to choose executors and other agents. Karen gives her clients the information needed to fund their trusts and protect their assets. After loved ones have passed, Karen assists families in administering estates. Serving the following communities: Novi, Southfield, Livonia, Northville, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Commerce Township, West Bloomfield, Plymouth, Canton, Milford, South Lyon, Walled Lake, Waterford and Wixom.
A good estate plan provides for both what happens after our death and during a period of incapacity. You do not need to be wealthy to have an estate plan.
Services
Karen is most passionate about working with senior citizens.
She is respectful, listens to their needs and has patience in explaining concepts so that they understand.
She always remembers who the client is and focuses on them, instead of the family members who may also be attending the meeting.
Karen understands the family has good intentions and wants to help, but it is up to the client to make decisions to the best of their abilities.
Another area of particular interest to Karen is working with blended families.
She is respectful, listens to their needs and has patience in explaining concepts so that they understand.
She always remembers who the client is and focuses on them, instead of the family members who may also be attending the meeting.
Karen understands the family has good intentions and wants to help, but it is up to the client to make decisions to the best of their abilities.
Another area of particular interest to Karen is working with blended families.
After losing a loved one, it can be a very confusing and emotional time and families are often at a loss as to all there is to do to get the affairs in order and where to start.
So, we have compiled a checklist to assist families through the process.
The list is not exhaustive, so if you have a situation that is not covered, please feel free to give me a call.
Contact the Social Security Administration (and Veterans Administration, if applicable) to let them know of the death.
If there is a house, you will need to secure the home by changing the locks.
So, we have compiled a checklist to assist families through the process.
The list is not exhaustive, so if you have a situation that is not covered, please feel free to give me a call.
Contact the Social Security Administration (and Veterans Administration, if applicable) to let them know of the death.
If there is a house, you will need to secure the home by changing the locks.
A Power of Attorney is a legally binding document by which you authorize another person to act on your behalf.
A Power of Attorney may be as limited or as broad as you choose.
A Durable Power of Attorney is a Power of Attorney that continues to be effective in the event of your disability - the very time that a Power of Attorney is needed most!
In the event of your physical or mental disability, a Durable Power of Attorney will allow another person you choose, such as your spouse or adult child, to manage your finances on your behalf.
A Power of Attorney may be as limited or as broad as you choose.
A Durable Power of Attorney is a Power of Attorney that continues to be effective in the event of your disability - the very time that a Power of Attorney is needed most!
In the event of your physical or mental disability, a Durable Power of Attorney will allow another person you choose, such as your spouse or adult child, to manage your finances on your behalf.
To achieve full benefit from a Revocable Living Trust, it is important that appropriate action be taken to transfer assets into trustee ownership.
This process is often referred to as "funding" the Trust.
Funding a Trust consists of retitling your bank accounts, bonds, stocks, real estate, and other assets so that the Trustee of the Trust is the owner of the assets.
Funding also may entail changing the beneficiary of life insurance policies or retirement benefits to name the Trust.
Proper funding of a Trust also can ensure that estate tax savings are attained.
This process is often referred to as "funding" the Trust.
Funding a Trust consists of retitling your bank accounts, bonds, stocks, real estate, and other assets so that the Trustee of the Trust is the owner of the assets.
Funding also may entail changing the beneficiary of life insurance policies or retirement benefits to name the Trust.
Proper funding of a Trust also can ensure that estate tax savings are attained.
We often get caught up in how to leave our estate to our heirs and can overlook some other important family members - our pets!
My clients are increasing recognizing the need to plan for their pets in the event the pets outlive them.
This can take some thinking because different types of pets have different needs, life spans and financial requirements.
For example, a dog may live an average of 15 years whereas a parrot may live an average of 80 years and a cat is not likely to be as expensive to care for as a horse.
My clients are increasing recognizing the need to plan for their pets in the event the pets outlive them.
This can take some thinking because different types of pets have different needs, life spans and financial requirements.
For example, a dog may live an average of 15 years whereas a parrot may live an average of 80 years and a cat is not likely to be as expensive to care for as a horse.
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