The Importance of Being Earnest
Do you have a will or a trust? Has your will or trust been reviewed or updated in the past 3-5 years? If you answered yes to these questions then you are two steps ahead of 2/3 of the rest of Americans. But the next question is the big one: Does your family or executor […]
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Another Kind of “Bucket List”
Among the many changes in tax law to go into effect in 2010 was the change in cost basis for inherited assets. Previously, all inherited assets were “stepped-up” from their original value at date of purchase to their fair market value at date of death. In this way, if inherited assets were sold shortly after […]
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Making Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick
It’s the beginning of a New Year, a time of new beginnings when many people set goals for themselves and make their New Year’s resolutions; but according to Wikipedia, in spite of all this optimism and confidence, only 12% of people who make resolutions will actually achieve their goals! Why is it that so many […]
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The Uncertain Future of the Estate Tax Law
The question on every estate planning attorney’s mind (and on the minds of our clients) is what will happen to the estate tax next year? There is less than a week left before the estate tax expires, and I have lost hope that our representatives in Washington will actually reach a resolution before the […]
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How to Pick the Perfect Health Care Agent
Cicero said “In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in giving health to men,” a quote which underlines the important role of anyone involved in your health care, whether it be a doctor or an agent. A health care agent is the person who makes medical decisions for you if you are […]
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Estate Planning Lessons Learned in the Holiday Bustle
My son just got home for his holiday break from college. Most of us look forward to these winter holidays as a time to spend with family, enjoy the spirit of giving, and even relax a few days away from the stress of our jobs. Every year we hear about how stressful the holidays are, […]
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New Developments in the Estate Tax Arena
We had great fun at our Annual Client Event. One of the topics we discussed was the status of the estate tax law changes. As you may have guessed, the question of course on every estate planning attorney’s mind (and on the minds of our clients) is what will happen to the estate tax next […]
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Test Your Estate Planning Knowledge
How much do you know about estate plans? And how do you know when you need one? Many people have a vague feeling that they should execute some kind of estate plan eventually, but think (hope) that they really don’t need one right now. On our blog we spend a lot of time telling people […]
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As Time Goes By…
Thanksgiving is upon us again. Most of my family will be in town this week to share the holiday together. For many people the holiday season brings more than just celebration. Seeing family and friends you may not have seen since this time last year means seeing grandchildren who have shot up like weeds, siblings […]
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Don’t Take That IRA Withdrawal Yet! New Options for Seniors in 2009
During our seminars this year, I’ve reminded the audience that if you are a senior 70 ½ or older who owns an IRA we have good news for you. Last year Congress approved legislation that waives the minimum withdrawal requirement for seniors in 2009. This leaves seniors with more options than usual regarding their IRAs. […]
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