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...
by Christine | Sep 14, 2012 | Estate Planning |
End-of-life tax-ducking techniques can cut income taxes as well as federal estate and state estate and inheritance taxes. It’s never too late to take charge of your assets and the inheritances you plan to leave. For that matter, it’s never too late to properly plan...
by Christine | Sep 12, 2012 | Estate Planning, Roth IRA |
In 2010, we felt that the conditions were ideal for converting traditional IRAs into Roth accounts. Previous restrictions on conversions had been removed, and income triggered by conversions was taxed at relatively low rates. Today, we are once again looking at...
by Christine | Sep 10, 2012 | Estate Planning, Funeral Planning |
The old adage “nothing is certain but death and taxes” is very true. Since income taxes occur on an annual basis we think about them frequently. Our own death, however, we seldom think about or plan for. That’s a problem. Admittedly, it’s fairly difficult to plan for...
by Christine | Sep 7, 2012 | Estate Planning, Gift |
Given the uncertainty surrounding next year's taxes, here is a reassuring thought: One of Uncle Sam's most useful tax benefits isn't expiring, shrinking or otherwise under threat after 2012. Experts call it the "annual gift exclusion." Been...
