Repeal of the Death Tax Will Harm 99% of Americans
Many Americans are against the so-called death tax (estate tax) as an unfair tax. But the reality is more than 99% of Americans benefit from the estate tax. If you […]
Category Archives: Estate Planning
Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions for 2020
As of 2016, the following Estate and Gift tax exemptions are in effect: Estate Tax Exemption – $11,580,000 (U.S. Citizens and Residents) Annual Gift Tax Exemption – $15,000 (U.S. Citizens and […]
Do Trusts Really Avoid Probate?
The simple answer is no. Trusts by themselves do not avoid probate, but they make probate avoidance possible. Think of the trust agreement as a box. Anything put in the […]
When to Review Your Estate Plan
It is generally recommended that your estate plan be reviewed every 3 to 5 years. Additionally, it should be reviewed prior to or following any major life event. Some examples […]
Asset Protection
Asset Protection – Our assets are always at risk. Whether it’s through unknown creditors, accident, divorce, or acts of God; there will always be risks. However, this risk can be […]
Intestacy
Intestacy occurs when someone dies without a will. In this instance, the individual’s property will be distributed according to state law. Also, if the person had minor children and did […]
Getting Married
Couples getting married need to be aware of how marriage immediately changes property rights for both individuals. Intestacy When someone dies without a will, their estate is intestate. Without a […]
Effect of Divorce on Your Estate Plan
If you are getting divorced, or are already divorced, you need to be aware of how the dissolution of your marriage affects your estate plan. It is important to understand […]
New to Florida?
You’ve chosen a wonderful state in which to live. We certainly love it; however, any time you change your residence to a new state, there are changes that need to […]
Could An Ex-Spouse Inherit Your Property?
It has long been established in Florida that when a marriage is dissolved (divorce, dissolution or annulment), the ex-spouses are treated as having died before each other. This prevents divorced […]
Estate Planning For Parents
Few groups have more need of estate planning than parents. Without a plan, parents will have no say to whom their children go in the event the unthinkable happens. Furthermore, […]
Living Wills
Livings Wills in Sarasota Of all the documents included in an estate plan, perhaps none is as important as your living will. Unless you are a judge, this is probably […]
Probate & Probate Avoidance
When an individual dies in Florida or while owning real property in Florida, probate is the procedure used to transfer his or her assets to the proper heirs. Some assets […]
Guardianship For Minors
One of the most important benefits to parents in estate planning is it allows them to name who their children would go to if they were to pass away. Who […]
Guardianship And Guardianship Avoidance
With proper planning, guardianship for adults is, for the most part, avoidable. The purpose of guardianship is to allow a third person to act on behalf of an individual that […]
Advance Directives
Advance Directives are documents that allow you to name others to exercise your rights if you are ever temporarily or permanently disabled or incapacitated. They allow you to remain in […]
The Immediacy of Life
As a wills and trusts attorney, I feel a strong obligation to keep my conversations lite. The topics of my practice are such that the conversations are necessarily serious, so […]
Congress Makes 5 Million Dollar Estate Tax Exemption Permanent
Congress worked through the Holidays to avert the looming fiscal cliff. The result was the American Taxpayer Relief Act (“ATRA” for short). The impact on Estate & Gift Taxes was […]
Estate Tax Exemption To Drop To 1 Mil At End Of Year
As Yogi Berra once said, “it’s déjà vu all over again.” Just like the end of 2010, the tax relief act is due to sunset at the end of this […]
Top 5 Reasons To Not Plan Your Estate
An unofficial tribute to David Letterman’s top 10 lists, and my feeble attempt at humor. Top 5 Reasons To Not Plan Your Estate 3% of everything I own sounds like […]