by Christine | Nov 2, 2015 | Inheritance, Will Contest, Wills |
Unpleasant as it is, it’s not unusual for family members to sue each other over inheritance disputes. Usually the animosity is directed against each other. In this case, however, the actions of a now disbarred attorney have made an unpleasant inheritance battle far...
by Christine | Oct 30, 2015 | Estate Tax |
The IRS is typically delighted to accept immediate payment for monies owed, in any form of U.S. currency. But for those who owe the IRS vast sums of money (maybe because of poor estate planning?), a new policy is likely to make this already painful transaction more...
by Christine | Oct 29, 2015 | Inheritance, Wills |
A promise to give an inheritance that is not fulfilled in a will can be challenged, if the promise can be proven and if the court agrees. The nature of the promise made to one woman in Australia is a sad reflection of a troubled family, but it does illustrate how...
by Christine | Oct 28, 2015 | Estate Planning, Interfamily Loans |
By pairing intrafamily loans with trusts, wealthy families are turbocharging their estate planning strategies. One business owner hit all the right notes when he sold a $30 million family limited partnership to a trust. Tax rules currently permit illiquid shares in a...
by Christine | Oct 27, 2015 | Blended Families, Estate Tax Returns |
Just as second and subsequent marriages are more complex, estate planning for second and subsequent marriages is also far more complex than first marriages. How do you protect your spouse and your children at the same time? Can you provide for everyone comfortably?...
by Christine | Oct 26, 2015 | Charitable Foundation, Estate Planning |
It makes sense to have family members at the helm of charitable family foundations. After all, who knows better what the family members intended? The IRS doesn’t see it that way. To avoid IRS scrutiny, here are some common pitfalls to keep in mind. Ensuring that the...
by Christine | Oct 23, 2015 | Litigation Probate, Will Contest, Wills |
If the bitter feud between the estranged wife of baseball legend Ernie Banks and his estate wasn’t bad enough, the latest development in this odd case is likely to leave everyone involved empty-handed. An estate planning attorney can help you make a more...
by Christine | Oct 22, 2015 | Probate, Wills |
Probate records are part of the public record and can be seen by anyone. But judges do have the ability to seal probate records if they deem it necessary or appropriate. One case in Oklahoma shows how unusual it is for this to happen. Those who wish to keep their...
by Christine | Oct 21, 2015 | Litigation Probate, Wills |
It’s hard to imagine legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix preparing a will; only 27 when he died, he likely did not have a great deal of assets. However, his estate grew after his death, and his not having a will, combined with a lopsided will of his father, led to years...
by Christine | Oct 20, 2015 | Probate |
What happens when someone renting an apartment or a home passes away? While the distribution of assets does not include rental property, the estate includes a liability – the lease that secured the apartment for its occupant An elderly woman wrote to The New...
