Dear Clients and Friends, “Deathbed marriages” between couples where a suitor (often a much younger one) marries someone with a short life expectancy due to age or terminal illness are usually looked upon with suspicion. However, not every deathbed marriage is an insidious … [Read more...] about “Deathbed Marriages” vulnerable to challenges
Trusts
Family trust could prohibit beneficiaries from going to court
Dear Clients and Friends, When setting up trusts for children, grandchildren and other family members, one has a greater ability to limit the beneficiaries’ right to challenge trustees’ decisions in court as a result of a 2016 U.S. Tax Court decision. Here’s the background: … [Read more...] about Family trust could prohibit beneficiaries from going to court
Estate planning critical for non-traditional couples
Dear Clients and Friends, Generally speaking, estate planning laws were designed for the traditional nuclear family, a married couple with kids. But according to the 2010 U.S. Census, such families are less than 50 percent of the total. Non-traditional families, including … [Read more...] about Estate planning critical for non-traditional couples
Handling your deceased parents’ Living Trusts
Dear Clients and Friends, As a former IRS attorney I was specially assigned to the Estate and Gift Tax division and in my 4+ decades of private practice thereafter we routinely work with clients on implementing their personal Estate Planning documentation as well as … [Read more...] about Handling your deceased parents’ Living Trusts
Estate Planning and Your Highly Appreciated Residence
The absolute basics on one's estate planning are to have a valid living Trust, a backup Will for that Trust and a Medical Durable Power of Attorney. These documents allow for a predictable handling of one's estate and the avoidance of the expense, delays and public exposure … [Read more...] about Estate Planning and Your Highly Appreciated Residence
The Marital Deduction: A Valuable Estate Planning Tool
The federal estate tax marital deduction is one of the most important estate planning tools available to a married couple. The basic marital deduction rule is that, upon the death of the first spouse, the value of any interest in property passing to the surviving spouse is … [Read more...] about The Marital Deduction: A Valuable Estate Planning Tool
