In the United States, certain states collect a death tax based on the value of the deceased person’s estate and who inherits it. Which States Collect a State Death Tax? As of January 1, 2015, the fo...
Three Liability Planning Tips for Physicians You Can Use Too
The practice of medicine is a profession fraught with liability. It’s not just medical malpractice claims either – employment related issues (wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and discrim...
Caution: Writing Your Own Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Unintended Consequences
One common way to avoid probate of real estate after the owner dies is to hold the title to the property in joint names with rights of survivorship with children or other beneficiaries. This is acc...
Appealing the Taxes You Pay on the Assessed Value of Your Property
By: Lesley J. Adam Every spring your county sends you a property tax bill. Three factors that affect your tax bill are: The amount your local governments (town, city, county, etc.) spend to provide ...
Is a Payable on Death Account Right for You and Your Family?
Payable on death accounts, or “POD accounts” for short, have become popular for avoiding probate in the last decade or so. What is a POD Account? A POD account is a type of bank account authorized...
Five Changes Proposed in President Obama’s 2016 Budget
The Obama administration recently released its budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year. As in past years, this budget proposes changes to the laws governing federal estate, gift and generation-ski...
It’s Not Just About Death and Taxes: The Essential Legal Documents You Need for Incapacity Planning
Comprehensive estate planning is about more than your legacy after death, avoiding probate, and saving on taxes. It must also be about having a plan in place to manage your affairs if you become menta...
Five Things You Need to Know About the Recently Enacted ABLE Act
On December 19, 2014, President Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) into law. The ABLE Act will allow certain individuals with disabilities to establish tax-free savi...
Minnesota Franchise Act
Author: Steven V. Rose Many people dream of owning a McDonald’s, Subway, Culver’s, Dunkin’ Donuts or other nationally or internationally known franchise. To do so, you have to acquire the righ...
3 Powers to Consider Giving to a Trust Protector
Today many estate plans contain irrevocable trusts that will continue for the benefit of a spouse’s lifetime and then for the benefit of several generations. Since these trusts are designed to sp...