In recent years, Congressional action on esate taxes has focused on raising the exemption amount. The changes have increased the amount of assets that can be excluded from the federal estate tax. Individuals can now pass along up to $5.25 million without tax...
Month: April 2013
Inheritance: the power of genealogy in a real Massachusetts case
It sounds like something that would happen only in an old-fashioned board game. A long-last relative dies, leaving you a big bequest that solves all of your money problems. In a recent Massachusetts case, however, two women did inherit money from a long-lost relative....
Digital heirs: online accounts and estate planning decisions
Estate planning and administration are highly traditional areas of the law. This tradition reflects centuries of common law practice, along with modern statutes. Increasingly, however, taking care of an estate after someone dies involves dealing with issues regarding...
Making changes to a trust: amendment vs. restatement
Life never stands still. Even when you have crafted an estate plan that makes sense for you and your family, it's only natural that changes will come up. This doesn't mean there was anything wrong with your earlier planning. It simply means that life is dynamic and it...
Estate planning and business succession: a case of family conflict
Succession planning is important for any organization. But it is particularly important for small businesses - especially it is a family-run small business. In a small business owned or operated by a family, changes in the family structure can directly affect the...
