Estate Planning, Probate, Power of Attorney Blogs & More

• Posted in: Current Affairs

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 […]

• Posted in: Retirement Planning

January of 2010 has brought with it a lot of change that is keeping financial and estate planners on their toes. In addition to the repeal of the estate tax (discussed in a previous post), we have been presented with new Roth IRA rollover rules that took effect January 1st, and which now allow anybody, […]

• Posted in: Current Affairs

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 […]

• Posted in: Asset Protection

  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 […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

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 […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

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, […]

• Posted in: Current Affairs

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 […]

• Posted in: Elder Law

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 […]

• Posted in: General interest

I saw the first snow of the season on the mountain yesterday. The winter days are getting shorter, the weather cooler, and few of the skeletal arms of trees reach for the skies as their colorful apparel rests on the ground. All of these signs point to just one thing… No, not the estate tax […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

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 […]