Why Titling Of Assets Is So Important In Second Marriages
I was talking to another estate planning recently and discussing how much of our work involves assisting clients who have blended families. Blended families generally refers to clients who are married but at least one of the spouses has a child from a previous relationship. In comparing stories and ways that we can assist clients, we discovered […]
New Jersey Estate Tax Deal
According to various news reports, it appears that New Jersey will officially be eliminating the estate tax. The deal to eliminate the estate tax is part of a larger deal that increases the gas tax, reduces the sales tax slightly, gives the working poor a larger tax credit, gives a tax cut on retirement income […]
Reasons to Value a Trust
Recently I gave a lecture on the valuation of trusts. While I am not an accountant nor am I a valuation expert, I live and breathe trusts… and frequently the question comes up, what is value of a particular beneficiary’s interest in a trust. Keep in mind, just because a trust is worth $1M, it […]
Trouble with Probate
Sometimes probate can be a simple process. Sometimes it can be a royal nightmare… and sometimes it can be an expensive royal nightmare. I’m not sure if it is a sign of the times or just a coincidence, but our office has had numerous estates where the probate has not been very easy. To give […]
New York Reserves Right to Subject Real Estate Owned By Single Member LLC to Estate Tax
In a recent New York tax advisory opinion, TSB-A-15(1)M, the Commissioner of Tax and Finance stated that if a single member LLC owns an interest in New York real property, that property can be subject to the New York estate tax upon the death of the sole owner. In this situation, the Petitioner had set […]
Dynasty Trusts Explained
I am frequently asked about the best way to transfer wealth to younger generations. Sometimes people feel that absent having a minor child, a problem child or a special needs child, there is no reason to set up a trust. Often times they are correct and there is no reason create a trust because the […]
Update to Executor’s Commissions in NJ
Back in March of 2014, I wrote a lengthy post about how to Calculate an Executor’s Commissions in New Jersey. Frankly, most of the executors I work with don’t want a commission. However, I recently came across an interesting situation where an executor wanted a commission and the decedent had substantial joint survivorship accounts with […]
2015 Update to Federal Estate Tax Exemption
Starting January 1, 2015, the federal estate and gift tax exemption will increase from $5,340,000 per person to $5,430,000. That is an increase of $90,000. If you are married, that amount will be doubled. In addition to the lifetime estate and gift amounts, a person can also give away up to $14,000 per year. This […]
Change in New York Estate Tax Law
Effective April 1, 2014, the State of New York made numerous changes to its tax law. Most dramatically, New York is increasing its estate tax exemption amount from $1,000,000 to match the federal estate tax exemption amount. New York’s New Estate Tax Exemption Amount Until March 31, 2015, the new estate tax amount will be […]