by Christine | Aug 12, 2013 | Elder Law, Estate Law, Estate Planning |
If you live in one of the states with an estate tax, you need to take the tax into account when planning your estate … Another state tax to take into account when planning your estate is the inheritance tax. Just when you think you’ve got the whole federal estate tax...
by Christine | Aug 9, 2013 | Family Business, Retirement, Small Business |
If selling your business is any part of your retirement plan, Mr. Gerber said, it is essential to know what your business is worth. And it is important to start tracking its value long before you plan to sell. As a business owner, your business and your life...
by Christine | Aug 8, 2013 | Disinheritance, Estate Planning |
“This is the thing people who disinherit someone don’t understand: It puts a huge amount of pressure on those who aren’t being disinherited,” says Caschetta, whose experience inspired her to write a book on the subject that she's trying to get published....
by Christine | Aug 7, 2013 | Charitable Giving, Conservation Easement, Estate Planning |
In general, the value of an easement is the value of the property’s development rights. But in practice, these financial values are far more nuanced and flexible. Do you know the fundamentals of conservation easements? If not, then you might want to do your...
by Christine | Aug 6, 2013 | Estate Planning, Portability |
The first issue regarding portability is what does portability do? The answer is that portability allows the first spouse to die to transfer his/her unused estate tax applicable exclusion amount to the surviving spouse, who can then use it for his/her gift or estate...
by Christine | Aug 5, 2013 | Beneficiary, Estates, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Probate, Wills |
The only time your Will would control who gets your IRA is if your estate is the beneficiary. Generally, it’s not a good idea to name your estate as the beneficiary of your IRA. Even though you made sure to prepare your Last Will and Testament, it is not always the...
by Christine | Aug 2, 2013 | Charitable Giving, Easement, Estate Planning |
If you have property that you would like to be preserved, either for conservation or historic purposes, there is nothing so close to a free lunch as the donation of an easement. You may be entitled to a charitable contribution for the value of the...
by Christine | Aug 1, 2013 | Elder Law, Estate Planning |
There’s never a good or easy time to talk with older parents about their finances and estate plans. But taking advantage of a relaxing moment –well before problems arise – can improve the odds of success. If you are heading out for vacation with your elderly loves...
by Christine | Jul 31, 2013 | Estate Planning, Pet Planning, Pet Trust |
Only 17% of dog or cat owners have taken any legal steps to provide for pets' care after their death, according to a recent survey by the ASPCA. Most people simply assume that a friend or relative will take care of their pet after they're gone, animal...
by Christine | Jul 30, 2013 | Estate Law, Estate Planning, Probate |
When James Gandolfini, one of the most recognizable actors of the last decade, died of a heart attack while on vacation last month, the response was as intense as you might have expected for the man who was Tony Soprano. But then something odd happened: a few weeks...
