Among the many changes in tax law to go into effect in 2010 was the change in cost basis for inherited assets. Previously, all inherited assets were “stepped-up” from their original value at date of purchase to their fair market value at date of death. In this way, if inherited assets were sold shortly after… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Estate Planning
Keep Your Estate Safe in 2010
Now that it’s 2010 and congress has failed to take action regarding the repeal of the estate tax, we see a lot of articles discussing whether the lack of taxation for a year is a good or bad thing; sometimes these articles go even further, arguing whether estate tax in general is a good or… Read More »
Estate Tax Repeal Creates Dilemma: Some Spouses May Now Be Left Out in the Cold
With the New Year has come a dramatic change in the estate tax: for persons dying in 2010, there is suddenly no estate tax no matter how large the decedent’s estate. Although that may sound good, you had better think again. Many couples set up their estate plans years ago on the assumption that at least… Read More »
Celebrity Gossip Can Save Your Estate!
Did you know that Jimi Hendrix’s estate took twenty years to finalize because he didn’t have a will? Have you heard about Heath Ledger’s two year old daughter who got nothing when he died because Ledger neglected to update his will after she was born? Can you imagine how difficult it would be to sit… Read More »
How to Pick the Perfect Health Care Agent
Cicero said “In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in giving health to men,” a quote which underlines the important role of anyone involved in your health care, whether it be a doctor or an agent. A health care agent is the person who makes medical decisions for you if you are… Read More »
Estate Planning Lessons Learned in the Holiday Bustle
Most of us look forward to these winter holidays as a time to spend with family, enjoy the spirit of giving, and even relax a few days away from the stress of our jobs. Every year we hear about how stressful the holidays are, and yet we look forward to them anyway. Why is it… Read More »
The Shortest Will: It May Hold the Record, But It Won’t Hold Water
Have you ever wondered just how little you could get away with in your last will and testament? Aletta Stager of Brooklyn, NY holds the distinction of having executed one of the shortest wills on record—a mere 2 lines long! “Nov. 29, 1895. I give to my cousin, Nettie M. Cowan, all money that I… Read More »
New Developments in the Estate Tax Arena
The question on every estate planning attorney’s mind (and on the minds of our clients) is what will happen to the estate tax next year? There is less than a month left before the estate tax expires, and although nobody expects our representatives in Washington to actually let that happen, as of yet there are… Read More »
Tax Moves to Make Before the End of 2009
Why do people give so many charitable gifts in December? The holiday spirit may not be the only thing inspiring people to give to the less fortunate this month, it may also have something to do with lowering your 2009 tax bill. If it’s taxes you’re worried about, there are a few other moves you… Read More »
Test Your Knowledge: An Estate Planning Quiz
How much do you know about estate plans? And how do you know when you need one? Many people have a vague feeling that they should execute some kind of estate plan eventually, but think (hope) that they really don’t need one right now. On our blog we spend a lot of time telling people… Read More »