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Executors of 2010 Estates Have Until Nov. 15 to Make Estate Tax Decisions
Everyone will remember the “wonderful boon” that was the 2010 estate tax repeal, which (in theory) allowed decedents to pass on their assets free of any estate taxes. However, the situation was complicated in December of 2010 when, as this article in Bloomberg puts it, “Congress extended the tax retroactively [giving] executors of estates of […]
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Unusual Things Happen Every Day…
In a recent article in the Huffington Post financial columnist Don McNay tells the frustrating, sad, and “unusual” story of how the greater part of his mother’s and his sister’s estates ended up in the hands of people they would never have chosen to receive it… all because neither of them had a will or […]
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Off to College? Don’t Forget Your HIPAA!
The hot and lazy days of summer are almost over; parents are thinking about back-to-school sales, kids are making the most of their final days of freedom, and college freshmen are getting ready to embark on their first year of adult-hood. Most of these college students have a list (whether mental or physical) of all […]
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Planning Your Estate Can Help Loved Ones Cope With Loss
In our line of business we like to think that what we offer our clients is more than a way to minimize estate taxes or avoid a lengthy probate, we like to think that what we really offer our clients is an opportunity for peace and comfort during a time of stress and emotional upheaval. […]
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Charitable Lead Trusts Can Benefit Your Heirs AND Your Favorite Charity
2011 and 2012 are good years not only for heirs but also for charities; high estate- and gift-tax exemption amounts (as much as $5 million per person) have many wealthy families exploring their options for gift-giving, and record-low interest rates are prompting many financial advisors to recommend that their clients set up charitable lead trusts […]
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Estate Planning Challenges (and Benefits) for Same-Sex Couples
There are many changes going on nation-wide for same-sex couples as more and more states legalize gay marriage. But there are still a few areas of the law—estate planning being one of them—which present challenges no matter what your state of residence. This article in the Wall Street Journal points out just a few of […]
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It’s Not Over ‘Till It’s Over: Funding Your Trust
The hard part is done. Your estate plan has been created, all the documents signed and witnessed and notarized. But wait, you’re not quite done yet—especially if your estate plan includes a trust. The task of funding that trust still remains. Without the completion of this crucial step all of your hard work could be […]
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Estate Tax Calculator May Provide a Peek into the Future
Everyone who kept up with the recent changes in the estate tax laws—and the flurry of speculation, news stories and blog posts that came with it—knows just how important estate taxes are to estate planning. Although we make it clear on our blog that estate planning should be at least as much about family and […]
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Estate Planning for Beginners: Wills and Trusts
Every new project has to begin somewhere, and most newcomers to estate planning choose to begin with a will and a trust. This is because wills and trusts form the foundation for how your property will be distributed, how your heirs will be cared for, and how the probate process and estate taxes will be […]
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Even the Most “Normal” Families Require Special Estate Planning Consideration
Many people would like to think that estate planning is a piece of cake: choose your beneficiaries, write up a simple will, and voila – you’re done! The truth is that while estate planning can sometimes be achieved with this amount of simplicity, most of the time there’s more to it than that—a lot more—especially […]
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