On January 1, 2013, under significant pressure to avoid the so called “fiscal cliff,” the United States House of Representatives and the Senate passed the “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.” This bill stops the roller coaster we have been on for estate tax planning over the last twelve years, and makes permanent the estate [...]
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Conversation with an Estate Planner
It is interesting how many times I go through the same conversation with new people that I meet. The conversation often goes like this: “So, you’re an attorney. What kind of work do you do?” “I do mostly estate planning.” (Puzzled look on the person’s face.) “What kind of work is that?” “I draft Trusts, Wills, [...]
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Joint tenancies have long been used to transfer assets to succeeding generations. In a joint tenancy an asset (usually real property) is placed in the name of two or more people. During lifetime, these “joint tenants” hold an undivided interest in the property. If the joint tenancy is properly made, the surviving joint tenant becomes [...]
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