After many years advising large corporations as an in-house lawyer, I now advise small and business sized business regarding corporation formation…
I help clients located in Washington and California to work with the IRS, the Washington Department of Revenue and the California Franchise Tax Board…
Analysis keeps pouring in about how estate planning has been affected by the recent deal in Washington to avoid the Fiscal Cliff. Rather than re-write it all, I think this article provides a great summary of the impact of this deal. Overall, this deal has eliminated much of the uncertainty that we have been dealing…
The fiscal cliff deal had a surprising result. It actually solved a problem. All of the uncertainty surrounding the estate tax over the last few years is finally over. This article from the New York Times explains it well but, for now, most Americans do not have to worry about an estate tax liability on…
I am very relieved to find out that the bill just passed by Congress to avert the fiscal cliff finally dealt with the federal estate tax and removed much of the uncertainty that we have been dealing with for the last two years. Here is a quick summary from Forbes: ESTATE TAX: Always of significant…
With all of the talk about the so-called “fiscal cliff”, I feel as if the long-term issues that we face as a county are not part of the discussion among the political class who run our country. I highly recommend everyone invest some time to read articles like this one. The fiscal cliff is just…
I often counsel clients on the importance of making sure that the documents they spend money to create are of little use if nobody can find them. The same is true with your digital information. If the person whom you designate as your attorney-in-fact (which is the name for someone exercising powers under a power of attorney) is unable to access your online accounts, the power of attorney might not be very helpful.
The IRS has released a draft of the new estate tax form.
From the Washington Post via the Seattle Times comes a great article on the very basics of long-term investing.
Estate planning issues do not just affect the wealthy. Caring for kids and the control of money for this kids is important to consider in an estate plan.
I am glad to finally hear rumors that the federal estate tax will be dealt with this year by Congress. Back in 2001, Congress passed a law that increased the federal estate tax exemption from $1 million per person up to $3.5 million per person by 2009 and then ended the estate tax for 2010. …
Planning for the possibility of incapacity and the certainty of passing away is an uncomfortable topic for most people. However, failure to plan for these events can sometimes lead to unintended financial outcomes, family tension and many other negative and sometimes heartbreaking consequences. While the strategies may vary, estate planning is important for everyone no matter the size or complexity of the estate.