Blog

Get Ready: 2015 National Estate Planning Awareness Week Begins on October 19

October 18, 2015

In 2008 the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), in conjunction with Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and 49 of his colleagues, helped pass a law which declared the third week in October “National Estate Planning Awareness ...

Early Predictions About 2016 Estate Tax, Gift Tax, GST Tax and Annual Gift Tax Limits

October 16, 2015

Under current law the federal estate tax, gift tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions have become unified and are indexed for inflation on an annual basis. Since 2011, the exemption and tax rate have changed as follows: Year ...

The Lifetime QTIP Trust: Or (How to Maintain Control of Your Estate and Keep Spouse No. 2 Happy)

October 7, 2015

Estate planning for couples in a second or later marriage who have disproportionate estates can be tricky. One solution for allowing the well-to-do spouse to maintain control of their assets but keep their other half happy is the Lifetime QTIP ...

Even Vampires Need Estate Planning

September 24, 2015

Yes, even the undead need an estate plan. After you stop laughing you need to hear me out. As we’ve learned from the likes of The Vampire Chronicles, the Twilight saga, and HBO’s True Blood, vampires aren’t immortal. They do die, and ...

Surprise! You Can’t Easily Disinherit Your Spouse in the U.S.

September 22, 2015

Believe it or not, in the U.S. it isn’t easy to disinherit your spouse. But the same is not true for other family members – generally, you can use your estate plan to disinherit your brothers and sisters, your nieces and nephews, or even ...

Decanting: How to Fix a Trust That Isn’t Getting Better With Age

September 16, 2015

While many wines get better with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you’re the beneficiary of a trust created by your great grandfather seventy years ago that no longer makes sense. Or maybe you created an ...

Aging.gov: A New Resource for Older Americans and Their Families

August 31, 2015

More than 10,000 people turn 65 in the U.S. every day according to Aging.gov (http://www.hhs.gov/aging/), a new website recently launched by the Obama administration. The goal of this website is to act as gateway for older Americans and ...

What’s Hot in Estate Planning Right Now May Surprise You

August 28, 2015

Estate planning has truly evolved over the past 20 years. Gone is the uncertainty about federal estate taxes and the absolute requirement for married couples to use complex trusts to minimize these taxes. But also gone is planning for the ...

Act Now! IRS Signals Intent to Issue New Regulations That Will Limit Valuation Discounts on Family Business Entities

August 25, 2015

The IRS recently signaled that it may be ready to issue new regulations that will affect valuation discounts on family business entities by early September. What Are the Benefits of Planning With a Family Business Entity? For ...

Skyrocketing Probate Fees – Another Reason to Avoid Probate Court

August 16, 2015

As of July 1, 2015, Connecticut probate courts earned the dubious distinction of charging the highest probate fees in the U.S. Amazingly, the Connecticut legislature voted to completely cut general fund support for the state’s probate courts ...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HAVE A QUESTION? WE WILL CALL YOU!