The new insurance marketplaces, including MNsure, are set to open today for enrollment (although the latest news is that the exchange will not go live until later this afternoon). Coverage is set to begin on January 1, 2014. These new insurance marketplaces are the cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act. They are to provide a […]
February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955 James Dean was an American actor who had a very short career but who left a surprisingly lasting legacy. James Dean died at the young age of 24 in a car crash. He is best known for his role in Rebel Without a Cause, but his performances in […]
According to the IRS, same-sex couples who were legally married in a jurisdiction recognizing their marriage will be treated as a married couple for federal tax purposes, regardless of where they currently reside. Revenue Ruling 2013-17 reassures “legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout the country knowing that their federal filing status […]
December 21, 1959 – September 21, 1998 Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, passed away fifteen years ago today at the young age of 38. Griffith Joyner was an American track and field star, who most notably won three gold medals and a silver medal in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South […]
Huguette Clark’s estate litigation reaffirms some lessons that we already know. Primarily, caretakers and advisors must take precaution when conflicts of interest arise, namely when they receive more benefits from a client than they would otherwise receive for their services. We all know that, as advisors, we should take extra steps to ensure that the […]
Oftentimes, some property in a decedent’s estate will be unique and difficult to value, like: a business, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, or real estate. Oftentimes the value will be needed to help complete an inventory in a probate and/or to determine any estate tax impact on the estate. Additionally, objective appraisals can also help minimize or […]
We have written at length about the various estate administration tasks that arise when an individual passes away. One major task for the estate administrator (either personal representative or trustee) or family members is cleaning out the decedent’s home. When the decedent owned his or her home, the estate administrator has time to get the […]
Oftentimes testators will choose to leave a specific piece of property, known as a specific gift, to a devisee in a Will. Or, in other instances, testators will choose to leave a specific dollar amount to a devisee in their Will, a pecuniary gift. Both of these gifts are considered special gifts. Property Gifts In […]
I love finding new estate planning authors and professional bloggers to follow. They inspire me improve my writing and help me think of better ways to discuss estate planning concepts with clients. Two women in particular, Natalie Choate and Deborah Jacobs, are definitely worth following. So, if you are looking for talented, professional estate planning […]
September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969 Rocky Marciano was born Rocco Francis Marchegiano in Brockton, MA. He grew up to be one of the most legendary heavyweight fighters of all time. He earned the nicknames “The Brockton Blockbuster” and “The Rock from Brockton.” Rocky fought 49 heavyweight fights in his career and won all […]
Only wealthy people benefit from the “loophole” anyways. Retirement plans were never intended to be an estate planning tool. It won’t impact me. I don’t care. These are some of the comments in the press right now regarding proposed legislation to end the ability of heirs to take inherited IRAs out over their life expectancies […]