by Christine | Sep 21, 2012 | Charitable Giving |
The recession’s effect on total charitable giving may never be fully known because many donors don’t itemize contributions on their tax returns. Still, the economic downturn caused a bigger drop in total giving than was previously estimated, according to figures...
by Christine | Sep 20, 2012 | Elder Law, Surviving Spouse, Widow |
It’s no secret that women live longer than men. But a new study by the Wharton School’s Pension Research Council suggests that some professional financial advisers neglect to take that fact into account when they tell clients how to time their Social Security...
by Christine | Sep 19, 2012 | Estate Planning, Trust Protector, Trusts |
The [Trust] Protector is so useful, and it has become so commonplace, that the concept should almost always be discussed between planners and those looking to form trusts. In every trust arrangement there are three fundamental parties: the settlor, the trustee, and...
by Christine | Sep 18, 2012 | California, Estate Planning, Litigation Probate, Tort |
In an effort to address one category of untoward conduct, the California Court of Appeal has created a new tort to give courts a chance to test the conduct of a beneficiary by standards reflecting societal mores. A California intermediate appeals court recently used a...
by Christine | Sep 17, 2012 | 2012, 2013, Estate Planning, Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) |
The transfer of a residence to an IDGT is a strategy that enables a wealthy family to remove a valuable asset from their estate without impinging upon liquidity. It is built upon using time-tested estate planning concepts that are very likely to remain through...
