Law Offices of Fred F. Mashian, APC

04/07/2026

Are you caring for a loved one? Don’t overlook this critical step.

Caregivers are the backbone of our families, but the role often comes with complex legal and financial responsibilities. Our latest blog post explores the intersection of Estate Planning and Caregiving, highlighting how the right legal framework can protect both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

In this post, we discuss:
✅ Why "Incapacity Planning" is just as important as a Will.
✅ How to formalize caregiver agreements to avoid family conflict.
✅ Essential documents every caregiver should have on hand (Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and more).

Planning ahead isn't just about assets—it's about peace of mind.

📖 Read the full article here: https://mashiangroup.com/2026/04/estate-planning-and-caregivers/

10/23/2025

As cryptocurrency and digital assets move into the financial mainstream, a growing concern has emerged in estate planning and probate practice: what happens to crypto when its owner dies? Unlike traditional bank accounts or brokerage assets, crypto often lacks institutional safety nets. Without proper preparation, it can vanish into the digital void—permanently. This article explores the legal, practical, and tax challenges that arise when a decedent owns cryptocurrency, and outlines the remedies available to planners, fiduciaries, and families.

CRYPTO AND THE AFTERLIFE: WHAT HAPPENS TO DIGITAL ASSETS WHEN YOU DIE By Fred F. Mashian - October 23, 2025 As cryptocurrency and digital assets move into the financial mainstream, a growing concern has emerged in estate planning and probate practice: what happens to crypto when its owner dies? Unli...

09/25/2025

In the realm of asset protection and business structuring, few vehicles are as widely discussed – and often recommended – as the Wyoming Limited Liability Company (LLC). For years, Wyoming has held a reputation as a fortress jurisdiction for entrepreneurs, investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking both privacy and legal insulation.

But as with any structure, the Wyoming LLC is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its advantages are powerful, but they must be weighed against its limitations and how it fits into a broader asset protection or estate planning strategy.

https://mashiangroup.com/2025/09/wyoming-llcs-for-asset-protection-a-strategic-perspective/

09/04/2025

Crafting Your Legacy Requires More Than Just a Document – It Requires Deliberate Ex*****on -> At the Law Offices of Fred F. Mashian, we help clients move beyond just paperwork, we help transform intentions into outcomes. https://mashiangroup.com/2025/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-revocable-trusts/

06/10/2025

Most people may be surprised to learn that the federal estate tax is considered by some to be voluntary. Estate planning attorneys used to say, “You only pay if you do not plan.” The introduction of portability provides yet another planning tool available to married couples to minimize or eliminate estate taxation. Portability allows a surviving spouse to “pocket” and save their deceased spouse’s unused exclusion amount (technically referred to as the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount, or DSUE) and add it to their own exemption. Here is how portability works.

https://mashiangroup.com/2025/06/how-to-minimize-the-federal-estate-tax-with-portability/

05/21/2025

When handing down wealth, clients have two main options: leaving it outright to their beneficiaries or placing it in a trust so it can be distributed to the beneficiaries over time. An outright distribution is by far the simpler option, but it comes with risks for the unprepared. For example, many inheritors-to-be may not be ready to handle a direct inheritance.

https://mashiangroup.com/2025/05/helping-clients-pass-on-their-wealth-is-outright-distribution-the-right-choice/

03/21/2025

Incapacity can happen at any age and can have many causes. An estate plan that addresses only what happens to your assets (such as your money, property, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts) after death—and does not address who can make decisions about your personal affairs if you become temporarily or permanently incapacitated—is fundamentally flawed.

https://mashiangroup.com/2025/03/incapacity-planning-the-other-part-of-estate-planning/

01/23/2025

Many believe that once they set up and fund a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after they die. In reality, a living trust does not provide any unique estate tax avoidance strategies. Learn More ->
https://mashiangroup.com/2025/01/does-your-revocable-living-trust-reduce-your-federal-estate-tax-bill/

01/07/2025

The number of blended families is outpacing that of traditional nuclear families by a significant margin. Fortunately, many estate planning strategies are available to help blended families. Blended families include those with stepchildren, children from a prior relationship, and children being raised by a single parent or by grandparents. There are a few things to consider when planning for a blended family.
https://mashiangroup.com/2025/01/special-approaches-to-estate-planning-for-blended-families/

12/20/2024

Happy New Year
Wishing you peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming year.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

12/03/2024

The purpose of this post is to review the new Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) and its possible impact on you.
https://mashiangroup.com/2024/12/the-corporate-transparency-act-december-31-2024-deadline-is-around-the-corner/