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This article focuses on advanced estate planning and asset protection for affluent families. Over 65 types of trusts exist in estate planning. Each trust serves a different need or purpose.  One type of estate   plan may fit for one individual or family; yet may not be the best solution  for anot...

People often ask the question, “What is Elder Law?” Before diving into the areas of elder law, I have to say that the state of Missouri does not recognize specializations. However, does this mean that a client should not research the attorney who focuses on this practice area of law? Absolutely n...

There are the What Ifs to consider for estate planning.  What if I have children and die? What if someone wants grandma's wedding ring when I die? What if I have incapacity? The What Ifs exist but aren't always pleasant to think about. Still, it is the what ifs that make it important to put an es...

What is a Third-Party Special Needs Trust (SNT)? A Third-Party SNT is an estate planning tool that helps provide a quality of life. Often family members desire a way to provide for a child with a disability.  Parents with  child who has a disability should consider taking an extra step in estate ...

 There are times when people seek legal   counsel for what they perceive is the easiest   or cheapest form of estate planning.  I   receive calls from older parents who  consider just adding  children to bank accounts. Myths about Last Wills and Testaments and estate planning exists and needs add...

What happens if a person with special needs is injured? What happens when that person receives a settlement and is on government benefits? When should a person consider a First-Party Special Needs Trust? Estate Planning is important when a loved one relies on access to state services or governmen...

Seniors Need An Estate Plan Why do Seniors need an estate plan? Seniors require extra elder care in estate planning. Seniors lacking appropriate estate planning hinders the spouse and family's inability to provide necessary support and to navigate major changes in life.Recently a family scrambled...

Co-Parenting Holiday Success Divorced parents need a visitation co-parenting schedule for holiday success. One of the best ways to avoid conflict during the holiday season is to have a well thought out holiday schedule in place. It is not uncommon to see parents alternate the years that they will...

In November, we honor the men and women who serve or served in our Armed Forces. Men and Women serving in our military make daily sacrifices to protect and defend freedoms we often take for granted.  As a daughter of a veteran who grew up around the military, I give back to our veterans.  This bl...

October is Awareness  about Violence Against Women (VAW).  The toll of “fight or flight” and staying in survival mode is not a lifestyle choice but one victims endure usually at the hands of a trusted Partner.  It is a difficult  situation and often causes permanent physical and psychological sca...

Happy Woman with an ILIT ILIT-Advanced Estate Planning In today's blog post, I will take a closer look at one of the more “advanced” estate planning tools: the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). Trusts are financial instruments which allow a person to organize his or her assets and propert...

Photo of young adults by Daniel Nieto With the reopening of colleges and living on or off campus, any entering freshman and college young adult needs to ask, “What happens if I have COVID-19 at College?” Perhaps young adults doubt their vulnerability to the virus. Still, real-life stories exist a...

Many Americans spend a lifetime earning a retirement, paying for a home, building up a dream savings.  People spend years gathering but very little on life planning. You may ask, “What happens if I die without a last Will and Testament?” In St. Louis County Missouri, more than fifty percent (50%)...

Often, I sit down with single people and older adults who want to leave money to a charity.  The question asked is “How do I give money to a charity when I die?  One option is to create a Charity Trust to support a non-profit cause that is close to your heart. Are you single and have no children?...

Many Americans spend a lot of time and effort in managing their finances. Most people are worried about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) will impact their income—whether that's because they are temporarily furloughed, find themselves suddenly without a job, or watching their investment and retireme...

Family business owners need estate planning.  In Estate Planning, the attorney may suggest creating a Family Limited Partnership (FLP) for a family owned business.  Only family members, or their controlled entities, will be partners of the FLP. In Estate Planning, the FLP allows the business to h...

As an Elder law and estate planning attorney in this time of COVID-19, I want to reach out to each of you to remind everyone to pay attention to the vulnerable seniors, elders, and people with disabilities who may feel isolated and alone.  Although we have a social distancing measure in place, la...

Estate Planning encompasses more than a will and revocable living trusts. I call trusts that serve a unique and specific purpose in estate planning “boutique trusts.”  Sometimes life changes after an estate plan is in place such as adopting a pet, acquiring digital assets, or buying a firearm. “B...

Owner and Founder of Tucker Legal Services, Sheri Tucker, was honored on March 12, 2020 by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis as Donor of the Year 2019! Sheri was celebrated along with the amazing community of donors, volunteers, and all those that commit to supporting families...

Sheri Tucker, Owner and Founder of Tucker Legal Services is honored to be named as a Donor of the Year 2019 for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis. Her contribution is not just about being a monthly donor, but also recognized her time put in for education.  Sheri Tucker along with...

Medicaid Planning in Elder Law helps senior citizens cover their healthcare costs. With the rising expenses of nursing homes and other personal care services, more and more elderly people are relying on Medicaid.   Specific laws govern who may qualify for Medicaid.  Each state sets how much finan...

Powers of Attorney are a useful tool for people of all ages. In Elder Law powers of attorney are a powerful for those who are growing older. We often receive questions about Powers of Attorney and the role they play in elder law. Today, let's answer some frequent questions. What is a Financial Po...

What are reasons to update estate plans? Your estate Plan changes with life and life changes requires updating estate plans. Too often, people make the mistake of failing to have an estate plan. Another mistake is to take a document, put it into a safe, and never update it. You may say, “Oh, I'll...

Funding your Revocable Living Trust is important so that you keep the trust as a working part of your estate plan. Without funding, a revocable living trust is useless. Trusts are an essential part of an estate plan because they can protect your assets from estate taxes, probate costs, creditor c...

Digital Assets in Estate Planning are increasing as a valuable asset. It is a new type of property for attorneys to include in estate plans. When most people think about estate planning, they consider their physical assets—their home, antiques, valuable jewelry, stocks, and cash. Today, a recent ...