Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
When it comes to federal taxes, most people are very aware of the federal income tax because, if they earn a paycheck, they cannot help but notice the deductions each pay period. But there are lesser-known taxes such as the capital gains tax (a form of income tax),...
Harmless Error Statute—A Saving Grace
When somebody dies without a legally recognized will, their money and property are typically subject to default state rules that determine who will receive it. To assert control over who will receive their money and property and who will wind up their affairs, many...
Things to Consider Before Accepting Your Inheritance
The news that you will be receiving an inheritance is often bittersweet because it means that somebody close to you has passed away. But you might also have mixed emotions about your inheritance for reasons that have to do with the actual accounts or property you are...
What is a Trust Protector or Trust Advisor?
A trust protector, sometimes also called trust advisor, is a person with no vested interest, often an attorney or accountant named within the trust, who has power over some of the terms of a trust but who is NOT the trustee. A trust protector, is granted powers under...
Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Real Impact on Estate Planning
According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2 percent of all infants born in the United States (83,946 in 2019) were conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART).[1] ART is defined by the CDC as all...
What Is a Nongrantor Trust?
Every trust has at least one grantor, also known as the trustmaker, i.e., the person who creates the trust. So, it can be confusing when terms like grantor trust and nongrantor trust are used. It is helpful to understand that neither of these terms refers to the...
Three Steps You Can Take Now to Protect Your Artistic Legacy
Although your death is probably a long way off, it is important that you have a plan to ensure that your affairs are settled in the way that you want. An estate plan crafted by an experienced estate planning attorney is a legally enforceable set of documents that...
Using Assisted Reproductive Technology: What Happens to Unused Genetic Material at Your Death?
When you think about how you want your property to be distributed after your death, most of the time it is easy to identify that property—your home, your cars, your jewelry, etc. But what about the genetic material used in assisted reproductive technology, such as...
Three Things You Need to Know about Cryptocurrency and Your Estate Plan
Cryptocurrency’s popularity has rapidly increased in recent years, with more people buying and selling it. Here are three things you need to know about cryptocurrency in relation to your estate plan. Beware of the Tax Consequences Transferring your...
Important Questions to Ask When Investing in a Vacation Property
According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes.[1] These homes are not only real estate that must be planned for, managed, and maintained, they are...