Gaslowitz Frankel LLC

Here are some of the philanthropic trends experts saw in 2020, as well as predictions for best practices in 2021. https://rb.gy/ancy3i

According to Stacy Hanley, Estate Planning Attorney, financial and estate planners are seeing many women in their 60's living solely off of social security. Why is this? Find out in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show.

Do you know your rights as an investor? Learn what they are here.

How do you split tangible and intangible assets in an estate among heirs? Learn about the importance of having cash equalization language built into an estate plan and how to ensure each heir receives their fair share in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show with special guests Allen Venet, Estate and Trust Advisor at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), and Alyssa Quinlan, Chief Business Development Officer at Hindman Auctions.

Meet the attorney! Gaslowitz Frankel partner Craig Frankel is an experienced litigator who specializes in civil disputes within the areas of business law, contracts, will and trusts, fiduciary duties, employment claims, civil rights, and civil appeals. Known throughout the legal profession as a principled, aggressive attorney who gets the job done, Mr. Frankel emphasizes open and frank exchanges with every client, adversary, and the court. https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/craig-m-frankel/

A solid estate plan includes the appraised value of each and every tangible asset included in the decedent’s estate. Otherwise, your heirs may be misled as to how much their portions are worth. Learn more about planning, appraising, and auctioning your estate.

The securities industry allows people with brokerage accounts to appoint a trusted contact. How can this contact prevent financial abuse from trusted advisors? What happens when the trusted contact is the perpetrator of financial abuse? Kristen M. Lewis from the Bowden Law Firm, LLC answers these questions in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show.

After a year as eventful as 2020, it’s no surprise that you might need to update your estate planning documents in 2021, including your trust. If you’re looking to make changes to your trust, here’s what you need to know.

In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, Caroline Bradshaw, Sr. Vice President & Managing Director of Trust Administration at Cumberland Trust, explains how a trust is a living, dynamic instrument that can keep up with a dynamic family.

Meet the team! Cheryl Gaslowitz has been with Gaslowitz Frankel for over 26 years and currently serves as the firm’s Executive Director. Prior to her role at Gaslowitz Frankel, Cheryl was a litigation paralegal for more than 15 years, allowing her to bring a unique perspective and understanding of the litigation process to her role. Learn more: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/cheryl-gaslowitz/

Proper estate planning will both protect your wealth and limit the possibility of disputes related to your will and trusts. Download our free ebook now and learn the best ways to avoid an estate dispute: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/ebook/

Most people are not even aware of the money messages they believe -- they just assume their behavior is the "right" way. In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, David Geller CFP of the Wealth Enhancement Group explains how you can pinpoint the messages you picked up on during childhood about money that still influence your financial behavior and outlook today.

Both financial and estate plans serve to create clarity around what you have, where you're going financially, and how you're going to reach your goals. In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, special guest Christopher Shoukry, CFA of Alex.Brown, a division of Raymond James explains why this is important to lay out.

BREAKING NEWS: Along with attorneys from the Doss Law Firm, Gaslowitz Frankel partner Robert Port has filed a class action lawsuit against Chris Burns, an Atlanta-based financial advisor who unexpectedly disappeared on September 24, 2020 after allegedly conning an estimated 100 investors out of millions of dollars. The attorneys are seeking recovery from Burns, Burns’ investment advisory company Investus, and the investment advisory firm Matson Money, a registered investment advisor (RIA) managing over $8 billion dollars. Read the full story here.

Why do more people get divorced after the holidays? We answer this question and provide tips for preventing fiduciary disputes from arising as a result of a divorce.

Meet the team! Cheryl Gaslowitz has been with Gaslowitz Frankel for over 26 years. She was recently promoted to Executive Director, having previously served as the Firm Administrator. Cheryl is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s day-to-day operations, including logistics, human resources, accounting and marketing. https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/cheryl-gaslowitz/

In the December episode of our Wealth Matters radio show, Gaslowitz Frankel partners Craig Frankel and Robert Port met virtually with special guests Christy Butler Eckoff of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and Randy Gorod of Pisgah Consulting to discuss Philanthropy in 2020 and Beyond. You can watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/og-1NrYGZJg

In this clip, Gaslowitz Frankel partner Robert Port discusses the issues and importance of securities law cases and why he is so passionate about this line of work.

While handwritten wills are accepted in Georgia, holographic wills are NOT valid because they do not meet Georgia’s required formalities. Learn more about these requirements here.

Happy New Year, everyone! After the uncertainty we all faced throughout the last year, we want to say thank you for continuing to trust us and our work. Because of clients and peers like you, we look forward to all 2021 has in store.

On last week’s episode of our Wealth Matters radio show, Gaslowitz Frankel partners, Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel, met virtually with special guests Allen Venet, Estate and Trust Advisor at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), and Alyssa Quinlan, Chief Business Development Officer at Hindman Auctions, to discuss the ins and outs of planning, appraising, and auctioning personal property.

Siblings who hear the same money messages and observe the same behaviors from their parents during childhood still grow up to have different financial behaviors -- but why? Find out in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show.

Are you a business owner? Using an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can greatly minimize any problems related to limited employee incentives. Find out how.

Is it necessary to have a financial plan in order to achieve your financial goals? In this clip, Bradley Hilton, Financial Advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC explains his answer.

Are you considering making a charitable donation this year? In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, Michael Van Cise from Arnall Golden Gregory LLP explains what donor-advised funds are and how they can benefit people who make charitable donations.

As COVID-19 continues, more people are considering investing in long-term care policies to protect their financial futures. Here’s why planning for long-term care is so important.

Do you enjoy listening to podcasts in your spare time? On our Wealth Matters radio show, our partners discuss the opportunities and challenges people face when planning and managing their wealth. You can stream any and all previous episodes of the show here.

If women leave their jobs to raise their children, they have experienced the loss of other opportunities and loss of income. If and when they go back into the workforce, we see that a lot of these women don’t know their valuethey don’t negotiate their benefits or pay, they are afraid to ask for promotions, etc. Here’s why it’s so important for these women to participate in financial and estate planning discussions.

What considerations should CFOs and planning leaders contemplate when conducting financial planning with a global pandemic in progress? Find out in this article from Deloitte.

In this clip, David Hultstrom of Financial Architects LLC discusses how he advises clients when their parents do not have a long-term care plan in place.

Just because you are a primary beneficiary of a loved one's estate does NOT mean that you are entitled to assets that fall outside of the estate, like bank accounts, life insurance, 401(k), etc. Here’s what we mean.

We have seen many disputes occur as a result of improper planning after a divorce. Here are some of the most common reasons we see this conflict arise.

In an era where you can do just about anything online, our experience in this industry has shown that homemade wills are rarely the best choice. Here’s why we always recommend hiring an estate planning attorney.

Happy Holidays from Gaslowitz Frankel! We wish you and your families peace, happiness, and health as you celebrate together.

Meet the team! Gaslowitz Frankel partner Robert Port is a business litigation attorney with extensive experience in general commercial litigation and fiduciary disputes involving wills, trusts, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Learn more about Robert and his years of experience here: https://rb.gy/0wtz1b

Meet the team! Michael Stidwell has been the document coordinator at Gaslowitz Frankel for 11 years. He is responsible for maintaining all of the firm’s litigation case files and ensuring compliance with the firm’s commitment to being a paperless office. Learn more: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/michael-stidwell/

In order to ensure each of your heirs receives their fair share of your estate, it’s important to have cash equalization language built into your estate plan. Here’s what we mean.

Do you know the current value of your personal property? Chances are, the worth of your tangible assets has changed since the day you first inherited/purchased them. Here are some tips for auctioning and appraising your belongings.

Creating a succession plan is an essential step in ensuring that a company continues creating wealth across generations, and yet we see so many business owners put it off until the last minute! Here are some tips for planning this succession well and avoiding business disputes from arising in the future.

In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, special guest Stacy Hanley, Estate Planning Attorney of Lefkoff, Duncan, Grimes, McSwain, Hass & Hanley, P.C. describes her personal life experience that proved why it is important for women to be actively involved in their families' estate planning process from the start.

After losing a loved one, family members want to celebrate his or her life and support one another through the grieving process. Too often, though, they're stuck paying unanticipated funeral bills. Here are some tips from USAA on mitigating funeral costs.

It is nearly impossible to create a plan that will last you the rest of your life. Here’s why you should revisit these documents on a regular basis as both your life circumstances and tax laws change.

It is common for tension to arise between family members after a parent passes away. This is especially true for blended families. Here are a few tips we have picked up from addressing these types of estate disputes in blended families over the years.

Historical writings, gun collections, antiques, artifacts... How should families deal with these unusual items in an estate? In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, special guest Allen Venet, Estate and Trust Advisor at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), explains the importance of hiring a qualified appraiser to determine the value of each asset within an estate.

Meet the team! Gaslowitz Frankel Founding partner Craig Frankel is known throughout the legal profession as a principled, aggressive attorney who gets the job done. Mr. Frankel emphasizes open and frank exchanges with every client, adversary, and the court. As a founding partner of Gaslowitz Frankel LLC, he takes pride in his firm’s ability to create favorable resolutions for their clients, whether through trial or settlements. https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/craig-m-frankel/

In this video, Gaslowitz Frankel partner Craig Frankel explains what a trust is, the different types of trusts, and why these estate planning vehicles are beneficial.

Many studies have shown that while the winter holiday season should be the happiest time of year, the divorce rate actually spikes in the months immediately following. Here are some of the reasons why this is the case, as well as the steps you can take to prevent fiduciary disputes from arising in your divorce.

According to Tiffany Kent of Wealth Engagement LLC, the most important thing wealth advisors can do for their female clients is ask them where they would like to be in the next 5-10 years. Deep discovery questions that uncover the woman's dreams and aspirations are oftentimes the gateways to a successful financial plan.

In honor of Hanukkah beginning last night, we wish you and your families a happy holiday season.

Women, it is essential that you actively participate in the financial and estate planning process instead of leaving it solely up to your husbands! Here’s why.

In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, Michael Van Cise from Arnall Golden Gregory LLP explains what donor-advised funds are and how they can benefit people who make charitable donations.

New resource alert! One of our peers, Tiffany Kent, recently released her first book, Investing for the Smarter Sex. With four easy steps, this book helps women design their financial dream life, become empowered to take control of their finances, and ultimately protect their financial futures. You can check out the book here!

After a loved one passes, there are still bills that come rolling in -- utility bills, medical expenses, funeral expenses, etc. How does a will executor or administrator pay off these expenses on the loved one's behalf before they are given access to the necessary accounts? Find out here!

Intangible items such as a stock portfolio are easy to ration out, but figuring out how to divide a family heirloom or a valuable painting is much more difficult. Here are our suggestions.

Is financial behavior more a result of nature or nurture? In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, David Bokman of Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management and David Geller CFP of the Wealth Enhancement Group discuss how predispositions and personality differences can play a role in how money messages are interpreted from person to person.

Meet the team! Gaslowitz Frankel partner LeAnne Gilbert is an attorney who specializes in fiduciary and commercial litigation. Her approach to her practice is centered on aggressively advocating for her clients’ claims and being mindful of settlement opportunities. Learn more: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/leanne-m-gilbert/

In this video, Gaslowitz Frankel partner Robert Port discusses what securities law cases are and why they are significant.

Business owners! Here are a few points to consider when planning for the transfer of ownership to help prevent a business dispute from arising in the future.

No person is immune to the emotional and cognitive biases that can impact financial behavior! In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, Jeff Bernier of TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC explains the importance of financial advisors giving their clients a safe space to admit when they don't know what to do.

If caregiving responsibilities are not shared equally among siblings, conflict may arise regarding the division of assets Here’s why.

Is it possible for decedents to completely avoid paying estate tax? Michael Van Cise and Kathryn Baldwin Hecker from Arnall Golden Gregory LLP answered this question on our Wealth Matters radio show.

Did you know that the weeks following the holidays present the perfect time for you to update your estate planning designations? Stacy Hanley, Estate Planning Attorney explains why this is in her recent blog.

Did you know that life insurance policies can help offset estate taxes? Philip Kahn of Kahnsulting Financial Planning, LLC explains how in this clip from Wealth Matters radio show.

Settlements negotiated through Alternative Dispute Resolution limit the expense, stress, time, and uncertainty that accompany cases resolved through litigation. Here’s a success story of a case Gaslowitz Frankel partner Robert Port resolved through arbitration.

Newlyweds! Alicyn Mcleod, CPA / CFP of Atlanta Tax shared her advice on how to deal with taxes when you are newly married in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show.

Meet the team! Laura has 17 years of experience as a legal assistant and has been with Gaslowitz Frankel for over 5 years. Laura is responsible for handling all of the day-to-day legal work for the firm’s attorneys. Learn more: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/laura-self/

In a lot of cases, alternative dispute resolutions can be structured so that both parties will achieve successful outcomes without having to go to trial. In this video, Adam Gaslowitz, Founding Partner of Gaslowitz Frankel LLC, discusses alternative dispute resolutions with a particular emphasis on mediation.

Here are the 3 most common reasons we see disputes occur following a divorce.

What is an overconfidence bias in behavioral finance? In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, Taylor Stanfill of Verisail Partners explains how clients who come in with overconfidence can be reluctant to take advice and acknowledge irrational decisions.

Women, you should NOT leave the entirety of your financial and estate planning up to your husband! Here’s why.

If you’re trying to decide whether or not it’s worth it to hire an estate planning attorney, we vote YES! Choosing to handle your planning by yourself can end up costing you much more in the long run than it would have taken to hire a professional. Here’s what we mean

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today, we reflect on all we are thankful for, including family, friends, outstanding clients, and the ability to help those in need. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday with those you hold dear!

Gaslowitz Frankel has been recognized in the 2021 edition of Best Law Firms by the U.S. News and World Report in Metropolitan Tier 1 for Litigation Trusts & Estates in Atlanta. We are thrilled to receive this distinction!

While there won't be a new episode of our "Wealth Matters" radio show this month, we look forward to filming our next episode on December 23! In the meantime, you can stream all previous episodes of the show on our podcast here.

Meet the team! Teresa C. Stendahl has been the account manager at Gaslowitz Frankel for more than 10 years! She is responsible for client billing and accounts payables/receivables. Learn more about Teresa here: https://gaslowitzfrankel.com/attorneys/teresa-c-stendahl/

What is an appeal? Gaslowitz Frankel partner LeAnne Gilbert explains what this process entails and how our firm steps in.

Do you have questions about planning, appraising, or auctioning personal property? Check out our latest blog for answers to FAQs and tips for avoiding disputes down the road.

Even though Auction Houses may not accept all types of personal property, experienced firms will be able to refer their clients to auctions that specialize in remaining items. Special guest Alyssa Quinlan, Chief Business Development Officer at Hindman Auctions, explains in this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show.

Are you wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire an estate planning attorney? Here’s our two cents

In this clip from our Wealth Matters radio show, special guest Allen Venet, Estate and Trust Advisor at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), discusses the importance of determining a fair market value appraisal of tangible assets within an estate.

Writing an ethical will is not just another item on your estate planning to-do list! This matter deserves significant thought and consideration and should not be rushed. Here’s why.

We see some of the largest fights among heirs stem from emotional attachment to tangible assets within an estate, even more than their desire for wealth. In this episode of our Wealth Matters radio show, special guest Alyssa Quinlan, Chief Business Development Officer at Hindman Auctions, discusses what happens when heirs have a fractional interest in these items.

As long as you are mentally competent, you may change, update, or completely revoke your will at any time. People who want to make significant changes can revoke their existing will and replace it with a new document, but for those who only need to make minor changes, a codicil may be a better option.

Gaslowitz Frankel is excited to announce that our firm has been recognized in the 2021 edition of Best Law Firms by the U.S. News and World Report in Metropolitan Tier 1 for Litigation Trusts & Estates in Atlanta. Learn more about this prestigious distinction here.