by Christine | Aug 28, 2013 | Uncategorized |
"Fighting over personal property is the match to the tinderbox of emotions," says McManus. "Sometimes feuds start because of lingering resentments over who worked the hardest to take care of Mom or Dad when they were sick or even over who got...
by Christine | Aug 27, 2013 | Elder Care, Elder Law, Medi-Cal Long Term Care, Medicaid, Nursing Home |
These days, patients are often transferred from a hospital to a nursing home to recover. But, then, some never leave. "The only thing I worried about was not getting out," Holmes says now. She kept asking her husband and one daughter: "'You're...
by Christine | Aug 26, 2013 | Asset Protection, Divorce, Marriage, Postnuptial Agreement, Prenuptial Agreement |
Under federal pension law, there are many very strict legal requirements that must be met when a spouse tries to waive his or her rights to the other spouse’s retirement benefits. In this case, those rules weren’t met because the post-nuptial agreement was drafted...
by Christine | Aug 23, 2013 | Estate Planning, GRATs, Trusts |
Clients with swiftly appreciating assets can transfer these assets and escape both gift and estate taxation on almost all of the appreciation using a combination GRAT-life insurance strategy in connection with the steep gift tax valuation discount available today....
by Christine | Aug 22, 2013 | Estate Planning, GRATs, Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT), Trusts |
This type of trust allows a person to still live in a home for the term of the trust, deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes, and then when the term of the trust expires, the home passes to the heirs and out of the owner's estate. The owners can retain the...
by Christine | Aug 21, 2013 | Estate Planning, Expatriation |
There are distinct immigration rules and tax rules. Seek advice from an immigration lawyer and a tax adviser. You need both sets of rules. Is the grass really greener on the other side? When it comes to becoming an expatriate, you may want to do your homework before...
by Christine | Aug 20, 2013 | Basis, Capital Gains, Estate Planning |
When you inherit property, such as a house or stocks, the property is usually worth more than it was when the original owner purchased it. If you were to sell the property, there could be huge capital gains taxes. Fortunately, when you inherit property, the property’s...
by Christine | Aug 19, 2013 | Advanced Health Care Directive, Beneficiary Designation, Durable Power of Attorney For Finances, Elder Law, Incapacity |
So flattered that The Caregiver's Voice (www.thecaregiversvoice.com) asked me to write an article on "Planning For Incapacity" for their website. Here is the link http://thecaregiversvoice.com/tips-caregivers/planning-for-incapacity/. My goal is that a...
by Christine | Aug 19, 2013 | Estate Planning, Non Probate Asset, Payable On Death Account, Procrastination |
“It’s not that these accounts can’t or shouldn’t be used, it’s just they have to be coordinated carefully with the rest of the plan,” says Patrick Lannon, an estate lawyer with Bilzin Sumberg in Miami, Fla. “If there is more than one child and you make a paid on death...
by Christine | Aug 13, 2013 | Estate Law, Estate Planning, Legacy |
We all want to be remembered, to feel that we’ve contributed something to the world. For some, this can be a driving force leading to great accomplishments and extraordinary contributions to mankind. But for most of us with more modest goals, what pushes us is the...
