Estate Planning attorneys balance competing interests when creating estate plans. Uncertainty about the future concerning taxes and each beneficiary’s situation requires flexibility in an Estate Plan. … [Read more...] about The Power in Powers of Appointment
Just When You Thought You Understood the 10-Year Rule, Think Again
IRAs have become ubiquitous components of estate plans. The SECURE Act of 2019 altered the landscape for IRAs significantly by eliminating the stretch benefit for most designated beneficiaries and … [Read more...] about Just When You Thought You Understood the 10-Year Rule, Think Again
Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
It’s tempting to think that by taking the time to hand-write your Will or preparing a do-it-yourself plan, you can avoid many of the issues that arise with a Will. In fact, the opposite may be true. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
Let’s Talk about Trusts…and Taxation
Estate planning attorneys need to understand and explain taxation of trusts in order to properly advise clients. Individual clients need to understand the implications of the plan their attorney … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk about Trusts…and Taxation
What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance
Life insurance has long been part of Estate Plans, whether used to ensure liquidity for the estate on the death of the insured, or simply as income replacement on the death of the insured. … [Read more...] about What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance
Application of the Updated Life Expectancy Tables
Since the creation of Individual Retirement Accounts in 1971, they have become an increasingly important part of a well-balanced Estate Plan. Taxpayers contribute to the IRA. Upon attaining a certain … [Read more...] about Application of the Updated Life Expectancy Tables
What Everyone Should Know about the New FDIC Regulations
Although revocable trusts are the centerpiece for many estate plans, many clients are confused by what amount of their deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company. To make … [Read more...] about What Everyone Should Know about the New FDIC Regulations
State Income Taxation of Social Security Benefits
The pandemic has had a long-lasting influence on our culture, including encouraging relocation at previously unheard-of levels. Imagine the surprise of a recently relocated retiree who discovers that … [Read more...] about State Income Taxation of Social Security Benefits
How Estate Planning for a Family May Trap the Unwary Practitioner
Attorneys have long advised entire families with respect to their estate planning. Ethics require attorneys to maintain a duty of loyalty to each client they represent and fully advise their clients … [Read more...] about How Estate Planning for a Family May Trap the Unwary Practitioner
The Evolution of our Unified Estate and Gift Tax System
Many individuals think that if their estate is below a certain amount that they need not be concerned with Estate Planning. As this article demonstrates, because the Estate Tax evolves constantly, … [Read more...] about The Evolution of our Unified Estate and Gift Tax System