Originally posted on Forbes.com   The ‘Talk’ You had the “talk” with your young adult child about getting a prenuptial agreement.   The divorce rate is often suggested to be […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   It’s Not Just About a Will, Trust or Other Document   One of the biggest mistakes people make with estate planning is to assume that […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) introduced a bill called the Death Tax Repeal Act on February 13, 2025, with more than 170 representatives […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #3174.   “The risk of a reciprocal trust doctrine attack on a non-reciprocal trust doctrine plan is always a […]

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 20, 2025. Wikipedia explains this day as follows: “King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Overview   The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) filing requirements have been reinstated and most filings will now be due January 13, 2025 instead of the […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #3159.   A Trump victory suggests that it is unlikely that significant new taxes will be imposed on the […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   President Trump’s Victory Means Estate Planning Changes, Not That it Should Be Ignored   With President Trump’s victory, and Republican control of the Senate and […]

Originally posted in NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning.   Many tax hurdles can undermine intended planning. This can be especially nettlesome if planning has to be done quickly. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   So, I joined a new gym and am working with a personal trainer. During any workout trainers and clients always shoot the breeze […]

Originally published on The CPA Journal   Planning for 2025 is becoming a hotter topic as the scheduled halving of the transfer tax exemption draws closer. But while many are […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #301.   The Treasury Department updated its frequently asked questions on July 8, 2024. The big news: if the […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #3115.   There is no way to determine which, if any, of the Biden proposals will be enacted, and […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #2924.   Smaldino, a recent Tax Court decision, provides several important lessons for practitioners to consider about how to […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #3032.   The trust compilation can be used to identify ways to backstop, refine and administer the client’s estate […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #3079.   Who a client names as their beneficiaries is fundamental to carrying out their dispositive wishes. How their […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   CTA and Estate Plans and Trusts   The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is a mandate that requires most smaller closely held business entities to file […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Federal Agency Regulations on Ambiguous Laws No Longer Get Deference   A recent Supreme Court case will change the dynamic of key aspects of tax […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Supreme Court Rules in Favor of the IRS   On June 6, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion on a closely held […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Estate planning sometimes addresses the special needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (“LGBTQ+”) people, or those who have family members in […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #296.   Under the Corporate Transparency Act, certain information about the Beneficial Owners of certain ‘small’ entities must be […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Noncompete Agreements and Your Estate Plan   Huh? What do the FTC and its new restrictions on noncompete agreements have to do with estate planning? […]

Date and Time: April 25, 2024 4:00-5:00 pm EST    Register Here   Course Description: Estate planning and wealth management have evolved over the years, and advisors must adjust their practices to […]

Date and Time: March 18, 2024 10:00 am EST        Register Here   Course Description: Defensive practice is critical for all estate planners. The risk profile of the discipline has […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   President Biden issued his budget proposal on March 11, 2024. The document’s full title is “General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals.” […]

Date and Time: Thursday, April 4, 2024 4:00-5:30pm EST    Register Here   Course Description: Charitable Reminder Trusts (CRTs) are a powerful and flexible financial, tax, charitable and estate planning […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a burdensome new law that would require some 32 million closely held businesses to file invasive information with the Financial […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   So, Aunt Jane just asked you to be the trustee of her trust. You were flattered and, of course, accepted. But what did […]

Date and Time: Thursday March 28,  2024 4-5:30 pm EST    Register Here   Course Description: The end of 2025 will result in the gift, estate and GST tax exemption being […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Ethical questions arise during many estate plans. Sometimes, these are ethical issues that you and/or your family may have to grapple with. Sometimes, […]

Date and Time: Thursday March 14, 2024 4-5pm EST  Register Here Course Description: Charitable giving is a vital component of many estate, tax, financial and related plans. This webinar will […]

Originally posted on WealthManagement.com    A recent Chief Counsel Memorandum (CCM) issued by the Internal Revenue Service may have a chilling effect on modifications to all types of irrevocable trusts. CCM 202352018 […]

Date and Time: Thursday February 29, 2024 4pm-5pm EST  Register Here   Course Description: How many clients do you have living with chronic illness or neurological conditions? How many colleagues […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   What Is a Will Contract?   What is a “will contract,” and why might you care? A will contract is an agreement you might make […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction and Background   Let’s start with a quick refresher to set the stage for an important issue confronting many people who have created trusts. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Yes You Have to Update Your Planning   Estate planning is about as much fun as getting a root canal. Unless there is a strong […]

Originally posted in NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning   Professional articles and webinars so often focus on new developments, complex or creative new planning ideas, as practitioners are […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is upon us. January 1 all new entities have to register with the FinCEN. Unless Congress acts to defer filings […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction to the CCA   In a recent Chief Counsel Advice (CCA) issued November 28, 2023 the IRS took the position that modification of a […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #288.   There have been five major events relating to the Corporate Transparency Act: 1) Reporting companies formed during […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #283.   The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is scheduled to be effective January 1, 2024, and there are important […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #282.   On November 8th, the Treasury Department dashed the hopes of a great many professionals who have wished […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Business Entities Email Newsletter Archive Message #280.   The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is a new federal law that will impact the owners, principles and other […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Senator Wyden has proposed new taxes to tap the very rich. One goal is to stop a common tax plan (some call it […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Immediate Action Advisable   The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is a new federal law that may affect you in significant and unexpected ways. Since the […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Coordination is Critical and Often Ignored   Everyone understands the need for certain critical estate planning documents such as a will (and perhaps a revocable […]

Date and Time: Thursday, October 12, 2023 4-5:30 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Identity theft, phishing, QR-phishing, voice mail/phone scamming, social engineering (calls and actions to convince employees […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Lesson To Learn   So the moral of this tax tale is that you have to be careful about making sure you file the right […]

Date and Time: Thursday, September 21, 2023 4-5:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Practitioners are quite aware that in 2026 the Federal estate and gift, estate and GST […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Living Together But Unmarried: Can A Special Trust Protect You?   Lots of people live together outside of marriage. And as marriage rates have declined, […]

Date and Time: September 7, 2023 4-5:30 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Do assets in an irrevocable grantor trust that are not included in the settlor’s gross estate […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Simple Definition of Descendant   Here is a simple definition of “descendant” from a trust document: “References in this Trust Agreement to a person’s “children,” […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Should “I Love You” Mean Pooled Finances?   There was a recent column in the financial press with financial advisers commenting on whether couples should […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Independence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, are all laudable goals for us as individuals. Independence is the hallmark of a well crafted and administered estate plan.   A […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Background   In a recent case owners of a closely held business got bad news. It is common to have a closely held business own […]

Date and Time: June 29, 2023 4-5:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Practitioners should inform clients with buy sell redemption agreements about the recent Connelly v. IRS, No. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   You’ve completed all the estate planning documents your lawyer recommended, do you really need to take another step? Yep! A letter of instruction can be […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #3041.   Clients want a motivated, ambitious, type-A advisor who will work vigorously for their interests and […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #273.   The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) introduces comprehensive reporting requirements for most closely held businesses […]

Originally published in The CPA Journal.   CPAs Should Consider the Potential Impact   The Biden Administration recently released its fiscal 2024 revenue proposal, which includes many dramatic changes that will […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Some Background   If you live in a community property state with your spouse, or if you had lived in a community property state with […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   The What Doctrine?   While the step-transaction doctrine might sound arcane it is one of many tax constructs that might well undermine steps you might […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #3209. President Biden has issued his budget on March 9, 2023, the “General Explanations of the […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Estate planning is primarily about the transmission of wealth. However, it should be about much more. Many people don’t want to delve into […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Everyone age 18 and over should have a health care proxy document signed (think kids off to college, and yourself, not just an elderly parent). […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   We lawyers love fancy names and acronyms. It keeps the estate planning process mythical and a bit veiled. Reality is, many of the fancy names […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Cleaning out your attic is one of those unpleasant projects that is typically delayed, deferred, and dodged as long as possible. Not much fun. The […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction to the Proposal   The Biden Administration has just issued the “General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2024 Revenue Proposals.”  While some pundits […]

Date and Time: March 16, 2023 4-5:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: State income taxes can be onerous. Rates can reach 14%+ and the effects of a high state […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   A recent federal law, the Corporate Transparency Act (not so affectionately called by the acronym “CTA”) may have a significant and perhaps disturbing […]

Originally posted on Trustsandestates.com Attempting to address all the planning concerns of married couples can be difficult, but there are added complexities, considerations and risks when the parties have been […]

Date and Time: March 9, 2023 4-5:15 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: This 75-minute practical webinar will cover topics critical to practitioners serving our aging population: What is Elder […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Grantor trusts are groovy. They have so many potential benefits that they are the cornerstone of many, maybe even most estate plans. Grantor […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Cryptocurrency Donations More Complicated   Donating cryptocurrency and getting a charitable contribution deduction has just gotten more complicated and costly as a result of a […]

Date and Time: Monday January 30, 2023 4-5:00 pm EST Register Here   Course Description: This webinar will discuss why all advisers should think about decanting, reformation, trust protector actions  and […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   Tax reimbursement clauses are a common clause in many trusts. Why are they used? Why are they important for you to understand?   […]

Originally published in wealthmanagement.com   Here’s a sample letter encouraging clients to formulate commitments for 2023.   New Year’s is a time for resolutions, and estimates are that one-third of Americans […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Make your estate planning New Year’s resolutions now!   So, you thought New Year’s resolutions were for losing weight and giving up eating corn dogs. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Your Power of Attorney document is an essential part of your planning and personal protection.   Introduction   New Year’s is a great time to […]

This article discussed the role a CPA can serve in helping clients as they age. With the growing epidemics of identity theft and elder financial abuse, planning your finances and […]

Date and Time: Thursday December 22, 2022 4-5:30 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Year-end tax planning 2022 is different from prior years. Practitioners might recommend traditional annual gift planning […]

Originally published in wealthmanagement.com.   Defensive practices and planning ahead is key.   Troubling statistics, based on a Profile of Legal Malpractice Claims study published by the ABA’s Standing Committee on […]

Date and Time: Thursday December 8, 2022 4-5:30 pm EST Register Here   Course Description: 2022 is quickly coming to a close and there are still valuable tax and estate […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction   The gift, estate and generation skipping transfer (“GST”) tax exemption will increase substantially in 2023. What does that mean for your estate planning? […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs) are a common estate planning tool but raise nettlesome issues especially for blended families.   Why So Many Taxpayers have SLATs […]

Date and Time: Thursday, November 3, 2022 4-5:30 pm ET. Register Here   Course Description: This presentation will discuss three possible approaches that estate planning professionals, and in particular, insurance professionals, […]

Date and Time: September 21, 2022 4-5:30pm ET Register Here Course Description: Asset protection planning remains vital for many if not most clients. For the past few years clients have been hyper […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2979.   Raia v. Lowenstein Sandler, LLP – Thoughts on a Recent Malpractice Case, addressed how […]

Date and Time: September 8, 2022 4-5pm ET Register Here Course Description: Are you and your practice properly and sufficiently protected from the growing epidemic of cyberthreats? Probably not! One in three […]

Originally Published in ACTEC Law Journal.   Introduction   This article will discuss some of the potential income tax disadvantages of non-grantor trusts and how they might be avoided or […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Do you know what is in your old Trust documents?   Introduction   Recently a financial adviser requested that I review an insurance trust for […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com Technical but Common and Important   This is a bit complicated, but don’t dismiss this as it may very well affect your estate plan and the […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   What is Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells—in one or more organs of […]

Date and Time: August 9, 2022 4-5pm ET Register Here Course Description: You CAN automate drafting of estate planning in your practice. Regardless of the size or complexity of client matters […]

Originally posted to Tax Management Estates, Gifts and Trusts Journal. Too many estate planning attorneys are simply living as the barefoot shoemaker. This article won’t introduce planning concepts that are […]

Too often estate planning focuses on technical nuances of complex tax matters, or intricate legal issues, drafting finesse and almost anything other than the human aspects of estate planning. These […]

Originally published in wealthmanagement.com.   Which tax-free transactions will trigger an estate tax if the taxpayer dies after the higher exemption amount sunsets?   Recently issued proposed clawback regulations (Proposed Treasury […]

Date and Time: May 10th, 2022 4:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: Estate planning for clients who have blended or stepfamilies often presents significant and perplexing challenges for estate […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2953. Attending the 56th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning was another virtual experience. While we […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction So you’re married. You received a gift from Aunt Jane while she was alive. Your dad bequeathed you a generous sum of money on […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Yet Another Tax Proposal   The Biden administration released its budget and tax proposals on March 28, 2022. This is called the “General Explanations of […]

Date and Time: April 5th, 2022 4:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: A recent Tax Court case gave a resounding victory to the taxpayer who had pursued what some […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction to the Roadmap   A recent Tax Court case gave a resounding victory to the taxpayer who had pursued what some might view as […]

Practical observations from the field, including: – Illustrations of holistic planning – Building the planning foundation – Planning fatigue – What a better approach can provide – Intelligent, not “simple” […]

Modern trust drafting and planning is changing how irrevocable trusts should be planned, drafted, and administered, and how practitioners should advise clients.  One of the significant ways in which trust […]

The high federal estate tax exemption may have reduced the urgency of estate tax planning, but it does not reduce its critical importance.  Herewith, an examination of the broad utility […]

Congress gave us all the lovely New Year’s gift of a new tax act.  For most taxpayers it’s a wonderful gift that will change the face of planning.  For the […]

Although revocable living trusts are nearly ubiquitous in estate planning, their typical use is to minimize ancillary probate or to avoid probate entirely.  Whatever the merit and value of these […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Although physicians generally take advantage of the newest medical advances when care for their patients, […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Pro athletes require financial and estate planning similar to most high net worth clients.  However […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Why does an estate planner need to understand the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Intra-family sale transactions have become almost ubiquitous in estate planning for larger estates.  In particular, […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2003 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Saving for college costs is a priority for many clients.  The 2001 Tax Act made […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 1999 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Although family limited partnerships (FLPs) and limited liabilities companies (LLCs) (sometimes referred to collectively in […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2021 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Estate planners and their clients anxiously await learning what changes may be made to the […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2021 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Some 7.4 million Americans own a second home.  Planning for these assets is important […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2020 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Many more clients of estate planners, or their immediate family members, are struggling with […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2019 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   On 6/21/2019, the Supreme Court of the United States published its decision in North […]

Originally appeared in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. Copyright 2018 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.   Many deductions allowed to an individual for federal income tax purposes for certain expenses […]

Date and Time: March 9, 2022 4:00 pm ET Register Here   Course Description: How can practitioners (CPAs, wealth advisers, attorneys, insurance consultants) assist clients in the operation and administration of […]

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 4 p.m. ET Register Here   Course Description: Life Insurance is a ubiquitous asset that has unique features and is uniquely (and favorable) treated […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2934. While Wellin focuses on whether or not the statute of limitations would operate to bar […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine May 2020 When family members, friends and other nonprofessionals assume the role of fiduciary – whether it be for a trust or an estate – there […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine June 2020 While we don’t know the outcome of the upcoming election, practitioners should counsel clients to plan in advance of possible adverse changes affecting the […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2020 The modern estate-planning attorney will represent a significant number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) clients or clients who have family members […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2021 Would you like to increase the value of your practice?  Diversity is the answer.  No really.  The more diverse and rich your life and […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com Mental health issues, despite their common occurrence, are ignored in conferences and planning. One rarely discussed mental health issue that practitioners should be aware of is […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com During lockdown and the slow reopening, here’s another home project that will benefit your clients (and help you help them better).  Your client will also be […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com With the 2013 Heckerling Institute completed, perhaps a look back at the past week might be worthwhile. There have been, and will be, scores of articles […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine April 2012 Many clients are planning to make large gifts before the end of 2012, to take advantage of what may be a fleeting opportunity to  […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine September 2021 As advisors, it’s important to be sensitive to our clients’ unique values and objectives.  In many cases, a client’s planning considerations are motivated by […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com Every advisor is aware of the importance of clients making large gift transfers before 2013.  Changes to the law are expected, including a reduction in the […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com One of the themes of many of the presentations at Heckerling this year is the growing importance of income tax planning considerations to estate planning.  Many […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com Certified public accountants tend to be practical folk, and they often view estate planning from a different lens than perhaps attorneys sometimes do.  For my last column from […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2021 Lawyers have long heard that they’ll be replaced by technology; however, over the past years, law firms have remained busy.  The reality, however, is […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com On Nov. 2, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee issued H.R. 1, called “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” The proposed bill itself is about 430 […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2014   Planning for the challenges of aging and disability is an integral part of what every estate planner addresses.  However, what exactly does this […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Changing Winds of Tax Legislation   Congress was considering tax changes that would have triggered capital gains tax on death, when gifts were made, and […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   A recent Tax Court Case, Smaldino V. Commissioner Of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2021-127, November 10, 2021 has lots of important lessons on how to […]

Originally posted on wealthmanagement.com   A recent unpublished opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Estate of Wellin v. Farace et al., WL 5445968 (Nov. 22, 2021), […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   So, you have an irrevocable trust (or several) and you want to take a loan from the trust. While that might sound simple it really […]

This article was originally posted on the ABA Real Property, Trusts and Estates Law Section RPTE E-Report and can be accessed as here. By: Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Joy Matak, […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2854. With the results of the Georgia runoff election, the Democrats control the House, the Senate […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #296. Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) are probably the most common type of trust where interests are […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2876. On March 25, 2021, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) fired the opening salvo […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #215. The Illinois Supreme Court recently held in the Rush University case that a self-settled trust […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #205. Generally, states can only tax the income of non-residents that is sourced to that state, […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2467. The New Jersey estate tax will be phased out. The New Jersey estate tax exemption, […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2348. The 41st Annual Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute was held on September 17th […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2813. Wealthy individuals who postpone taking appropriate action to eliminate estate taxes may not be able […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2848. 2020 may very well be the best opportunity to implement planning strategies to mitigate federal […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2846. 2020 may very well be the best opportunity to implement planning strategies to mitigate federal […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2845. 2020 is grinding to a close with uncertain federal elections pending the Georgia Senate runoff […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2842. At this point in 2020, all we know for sure is that nothing is certain. […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2841. Time may be of the essence for married taxpayers who want to protect their assets […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2840. Practitioners may still wish to encourage clients to consider estate and asset protection planning aggressively […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2858. Gift tax returns are often incredibly complicated with layers of issues, technical decisions, and disclosure […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #1880. Portability has been trumpeted by some in the media as one of the most significant […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   While walking through the dark tax forest, are you scared from the noises coming from Washington? Are any taxing animals out there who might be […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction:   President Biden released his administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2022. While spending focuses on infrastructure, clean energy, etc., it includes a host […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Some Background:   Senator Bernie Sanders with others have proposed a tax bill “For the 99.5%” implying that only the top ½ percent of the […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   You Might Need to Plan Now Even if You’re Not Really Wealthy   For wealth folks reviewing and beefing up insurance coverage and planning before […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   What is a Swap Power and Why do you Care?   A “swap power” is also called a “power to substitute.” It is a special […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Plan Now: With the results of the Georgia runoff election in the Democrats Control the House, the Senate and the White House. So, the potential for […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   So, you created one or more trusts in 2020 with interesting sounding acronyms: SLAT, DAPT, SPAT, etc. And now you are just happy to be […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   2020 estate planning was a wild ride! Throngs of wealthy Americans had their advisers assist them with all types of planning. Much of the planning […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Stewardship and Charity: Charity, caring, giving, and helping others are all part of the holiday spirit.  The holidays, perhaps particularly Christmas, are a time when […]

This article was originally posted on Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter as Archive Message #2909. The Federal Legislature is currently debating an additional $3.5 trillion reconciliation-based social funding plan, the […]

The webinar, which will take place on Thursday, September 30th, 2021, at 4pm Eastern Time can be registered for here. The House Democrats are proposing a $3.5 trillion spending plan. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com Recent Proposal The House Democrats are proposing a $3.5 trillion spending plan. To support that package the Democrats have proposed tax increases to fund a large portion […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction:   Covid-19 or Coronavirus has created health worries and fear for everyone. For those with underlying health issues, which include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Reality Check: With the coronavirus spreading, the stock market crashing and the evening news instilling fear, its really hard to think about estate planning. True. […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   What is a Power of Attorney: It’s a legal document you sign and appoint a person, called your agent, to handle legal, tax and financial […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Coronavirus Impact on Your Key Legal/Health Care Decision Documents: Coronavirus, novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19 is a novel viral infection that can cause severe pulmonary insufficiency […]

The webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, July 28th, 2021, at 4pm Eastern Time can be registered for here.   Too often planning articles and conferences use a “Cleaver […]

The webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, July 14th, 2021, at 4pm Eastern Time can be registered for here. Drug use is on the rise in this country and […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com   Introduction to Morrissette The recent Tax Court decision in the Estate of Morrissette v. Commission, T.C. Memo 2021-60 (May 13, 2021) put the kibosh on […]

Senator Chris Van Hollen and others have introduced a bill (called STEP) that would cause gain recognition on assets transferred by gift, by a distribution from a trust and upon […]

Every estate includes tangible personal property: cash, clothes, jewelry, furnishings, vehicles, pets, artwork, gold, alcohol, boats, electronics, cars, wine, guns, etc. Challenges you may face are as varied as the […]

The tax world is likely to change (yet again!) and if so, that will have far-reaching economic effects. You and your clients need to be prepared…not later this year, not […]

The 2020 election demonstrated that the projected Democratic sweep did not occur. Former Vice President Biden won the Presidency but that is still being challenged. The Republicans have control of […]

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (“GRATs”) are a powerful planning tool especially in an environment with low-interest rates and suppressed asset values. But there is much more to how GRATs should […]

Practitioners have had to reimagine their firms with remote work environments, and soon a new form of office environment that will include remote work. Practitioners must balance the needs of […]

At its inception, a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a good fit for a client’s situation. But a CRT is an irrevocable trust—its terms cannot be changed—but investment performance and […]

This webinar will discuss practical life insurance planning ideas for the last part of 2020. With the prospects of a change in administration in Washington (or not) that could result […]

Wealthy individuals who wait to take planning action to eliminate estate taxes may lose the ability to use their current $11,580,000 estate and gift tax exemption. While no one can […]

Charitable Remainder Trusts (“CRTs”) have become a common planning discussion topic lately, perhaps in large part to the consideration of using CRTs as beneficiaries of IRAs now that the Secure […]

The current COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever for individuals to establish (or update) their core estate planning documents. These core documents will generally include a will […]

Course Description:  The Secure Act changed how many clients should plan for and name beneficiaries of retirement assets. This webinar will set the foundation of why tax free compounding over […]

Course Description:  Spousal lifetime access trusts (“SLATs”) planning can provide tremendous planning benefits for many married clients. They may well be the most popular technique to plan for married clients […]

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society does not provide professional or legal advice. Seek the advice of your own legal, tax, or financial advisor. Uncertain times […]

NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning May 2020 Introduction Asset location (which “investment bucket” a particular asset is held in) deserves more attention than ever in the current planning […]

The Michael J. Fox Foundation May 11, 2020 Editor’s Note: Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, AEP, JD, is an attorney in private practice focusing on estate and tax planning […]

The Michael J. Fox Foundation May 8, 2020 Editor’s Note: Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, AEP, JD, is an attorney in private practice focusing on estate and tax planning […]

Michael J. Fox Foundation May 6, 2020 Editor’s Note: Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, AEP, JD, is an attorney in private practice focusing on estate and tax planning and […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2794 Date:11-May-20 From:Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject:Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan Blattmachr, Andrew Wolfe & Thomas A. Tietz on the Slow […]

Working remotely has challenges and as we have all spent more than a month doing so what tips can make you more efficient and productive now? This webinar will give […]

American Bar Association Fall 2019 Martin M. Shenkman and Sandra D. Glazier  Historically, an irrevocable trust was just that, irrevocable. We would explain the concept of an irrevocable trust to […]

American Bar Association Summer 2019 Thomas Tietz, Barron K. Henley, and Martin M. Shenkman  Authors Thomas Tietz, Barron K. Henley, and Martin M. Shenkman address a variety of vital issues […]

American Bar Association Fall 2018 Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq.  Authors Martin Shenkman and Jonathan Blattmachr examine how estate planners can use technology as an important […]

Every practitioner is familiar with the common or “core” estate planning documents: powers of attorney, living will, health care proxy, will and revocable trust. But how might Covid-19 uniquely impact […]

How to work remotely – lots of practical tips from estate planners (with different views and approaches) and a tech expert to help you now. How to build an electronic […]

WealthManagement.com Apr 22, 2020 Susan Joy Bruno, Marc Minker, Martin M. Shenkman  Panicking in the face of a pandemic (or any dramatic event) is a terrible way to manage a […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2789 Date:17-Apr-20 Subject: Mary Vandenack, Martin Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr on Managing the Remote Law Practice and Other Practical Administrative Considerations during […]

WealthManagement.com Apr 07, 2020 Bronwyn X. Martin, Martin M. Shenkman  There are 7.4 million Americans who own a second home . Planning for these assets is important to the estate-planning […]

WealthManagement.com Apr 07, 2020 Susan Joy Bruno, Marc Minker, Martin M. Shenkman  With most of the country on lockdown, clients are likely going stir-crazy while getting used to the new […]

WealthManagement.com Mar 25, 2020 Joy Bruno, Marc Minker, Martin M. Shenkman  With cases of the coronavirus on the rise in the United States, it’s important for clients to be prepared, […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 14, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman, Michael Richmond  Estate planning too often focuses on minimizing the transfer taxes that might be incurred on a family business when a founder […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 06, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman, Michael Richmond  Knowledge of a company’s true value is essential for business owners and their advisors to assure that the client will receive […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 16, 2019 Amanda Koplin, Martin M. Shenkman  The stats are significant. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in three women and one in two men will receive […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 02, 2019 Wendy Z. Cox, Martin M. Shenkman  Advisors need to understand and talk about grief to better serve their clients. There are many types of grief. Most […]

WealthManagement.com Aug 07, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman  Merging or decanting an old trust into a new and improved trust has become so popular that some have pushed the edges seeking […]

WealthManagement.com Jun 25, 2019 Richard L. Fox, Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Martin M. Shenkman  The Internal Revenue Service just issued final regulations (final regs) which, consistent with the proposed regulations (proposed […]

WealthManagement.com Jun 13, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman  A successful estate plan will often require as its foundation a successful financial plan. For example, with longevity risk if the client does […]

WealthManagement.com May 14, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman  Deciding on an appropriate withdrawal rate in retirement could have a profound impact on a client’s estate plan, especially in the current environment. […]

WealthManagement.com Apr 02, 2019 Alan Gassman, Martin M. Shenkman  What’s the distinction between characterizing someone as an employee or independent contractor? Perhaps more importantly, do you as a wealth advisor […]

WealthManagement.com Mar 27, 2019 Stanley H. Teitelbaum, Martin M. Shenkman  Proper planning not only requires skilled expertise in legal, tax and financial matters, but keen attention to the emotional impact […]

WealthManagement.com Mar 21, 2019 Martin M. Shenkman  Trusts are ubiquitous in asset protection and estate planning. Regardless of a client’s wealth level, he should be using trusts to avoid problems […]

WealthManagement.com Mar 14, 2019 Stanley H. Teitelbaum, Martin M. Shenkman  A common issue for those trying to plan an estate, especially the dispositive provisions of a will or revocable trust, […]

WealthManagement.com Mar 12, 2019 Stanley H. Teitelbaum, Martin M. Shenkman  Disinheritance creates complicated issues for many families. There are myriad ways to leave assets to heirs, so there are many […]

WealthManagement.com Feb 22, 2019 Sandra D. Glazier, Martin M. Shenkman  When a couple starts to work with an advisor to engage in estate planning, it’s advisable for the intake process […]

WealthManagement.com Feb 25, 2019 Sandra D. Glazier, Martin M. Shenkman  Clear and open communication is key to getting the facts necessary to effectively represent a client. The retainer agreement/engagement letter […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 18, 2019 Thomas Tietz  Thomas A. Tietz, an associate in the Law Firm of Martin M. Shenkman, P.C., sat in on Carlyn McCaffrey’s presentation at the 2019 Heckerling […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 21, 2018 Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan Blattmachr  Encourage clients to plan before the 2026 sunset of increased exemptions. Read his commentary here.

WealthManagement.com Dec 03, 2018 William D. Lipkind, Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan G. Blattmachr  An incomplete non-grantor trust is a powerful planning tool; not just for the super wealthy, but for […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 07, 2018 Louis S. Harrison, Kim Kamin, Martin M. Shenkman  If you were creating a trust 100 years ago, what would have been on your mind? World War […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 09, 2018 Martin M. Shenkman, Alan Gassman  The 2017 Tax Act made a host of changes that apply to homeowners, with the primary impact being the loss of […]

WealthManagement.com Apr 05, 2018 Martin M. Shenkman, Alan Gassman  Some have interpreted the recent Alaska decision in Toni 1 Trust v. Wacker, 2018 WL 1125033 (Alaska, Mar. 2, 2018) as […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 29, 2018 Barry D. Flagg, Thomas Tietz, Martin M. Shenkman  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act brings direct changes to the tax treatment of insurance and significant indirect […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 19, 2018 Barry D. Flagg, Thomas Tietz, Martin M. Shenkman  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. The […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 02, 2018 Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Joy Matak, F. Ladson Boyle  How to employ ESBTs as part of an overall wealth transfer strategy. Read their commentary […]

WealthManagement.com Dec 12, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Joy Matak  The House and Senate have proposed very different approaches to reduce taxes on pass-through entities. Each approach is complex, and introduces […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 10, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Bernard A. Krooks, Jonathan G. Blattmachr  While the amounts solicited in many online campaigns are modest, the dollars involved across the spectrum of […]

WealthManagement.com Nov 06, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Joy Matak  On Nov. 2, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee issued H.R.1 called “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” Here’s a review […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 30, 2017 Philip Cubeta, Thomas Rogerson, Martin M. Shenkman  Fewer clients need estate tax planning. Automated service platforms and artificial intelligence are making it more difficult for investment […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 17, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  An estate is generally permitted a tax deduction for costs incurred with respect to the production or collection of income. However, the primary […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 17, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  Caution is in order when multiple clients are considering hiring the same law firm to represent them in a matter. If the clients’ […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 20, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Bernard A. Krooks, Jonathan G. Blattmachr  In the wake of any tragedy, charitable efforts to help victims often come with a sense of […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 05, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  The Internal Revenue Service successfully pierced the trust created by a taxpayer to satisfy a tax lien on the basis that the trust […]

WealthManagement.com Aug 23, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  A New Jersey case evaluated the performance of a court-appointed guardian for an incompetent ward. A charity (The Society for the Propagation of […]

WealthManagement.com Jul 26, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  Every estate and financial planner must ask and discuss tough issues with clients. One of the toughest centers around the client’s health. Without […]

WealthManagement.com May 15, 2017 Andrew T. Wolfe, Martin M. Shenkman  In the current environment of uncertainty, many married clients should consider implementing non-reciprocal spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs). This strategy […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 27, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson  From a federal estate tax perspective, there hasn’t been much tax uncertainty since 2012. There’s also never […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 18, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman  New Year’s resolutions are easier said than done right? Much like taking your own advice. So, I decided to sit down and write […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 03, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson  In our prior article in this series , we explored the inter-relationship of a decoupled state (using […]

WealthManagement.com an 06, 2017 Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson  The situation described in the preceding two articles in this 4-part series could significantly affect both estates […]

WealthManagement.com Dec 15, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman , Andrew T. Wolfe , Alan A. Davidson  This is Part 1 of a 4-part article on the interplay of changes to state […]

WealthManagement.com Aug 29, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  The proposed Internal Revenue Code Section 2704 regulations (the “regs”) prevent taxpayers from considering a range of restrictions that could otherwise reduce the […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 27, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  Showing sensitivity to a client’s religious concerns should be an integral component of estate planning. Religious goals can be achieved by integrating a […]

WealthManagement.com Jul 18, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  Are major estate tax law changes in the offing? Perhaps, but my Ouija board smoked when I asked the question. So, barring that […]

WealthManagement.com Aug 16, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  On Aug. 4, the Treasury Department issued proposed regulations (the regulations) that restrict or eliminate valuation discounts for family-owned businesses under Internal Revenue […]

WealthManagement.com Feb 29, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  I was recently asked by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association to present a webinar on estate and financial planning for those living with pulmonary […]

WealthManagement.com Jan 05, 2016 Martin M. Shenkman  Trusts are ubiquitous in planning, and one of the most common motivations for the use of trusts is to minimize the risk that […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 15, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Most folks (and lawyers) tend to set up trusts in the state where they live and their lawyer practices. While this might seem […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 1, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Jonathan Clements wrote the following in a recent article in Financial Planning, “To Beat Robos, Stop Selling Fantasies,” Aug. 31, 2015: “Many traditional […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 24, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  The process of determining the value of estate assets, and filing the required estate tax return, might all be complicated by recent law […]

WealthManagement.com Jun 12, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Practicing as a solo can be incredibly rewarding, even in this era of mega firms. However, solo practitioners face unique risks, issues and […]

WealthManagement.com Jul 20, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Family limited partnerships (FLPs) and family limited liability companies (LLCs) have been a mainstay of estate and related planning for decades. FLPs and […]

WealthManagement.com Aug 19, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  It’s common to include in a durable power of attorney (POA) the right for an agent (the person named to act on behalf […]

WealthManagement.com Sep 22, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  In my prior article , I discussed trust friendly jurisdictions and compared Delaware and New Jersey. But while using a trust friendly jurisdiction […]

WealthManagement.com Oct 01, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Pope Francis recently concluded a 10-day tour de force in the United States. He was met by huge crowds in spite of massive […]

WealthManagement.com Jul 30, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Powers of attorney (POAs) are one of the most basic and important estate planning documents. Even most nonprofessionals are well aware of what […]

WealthManagement.com Jul 01, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Sometimes, it can be incredibly useful to have another arrow in your planning quiver. Consider the following: • A trust is set up […]

WealthManagement.com Feb 04, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  This year’s Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning included an excellent session on asset protection. The bottom line appears to be that in spite […]

WealthManagement.com Feb 02, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Often, as estate-planning attorneys, we create irrevocable trusts for our clients. But our job shouldn’t end there. We need to make sure our […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine December 2015 Martin M. Shenkman & Bruce D. Steiner  Grantor trusts and swap powers have become ubiquitous in trust planning. That frequent use, however, belies the […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2017 Sandra D. Glazier & Martin M. Shenkman  The practice of estate planning is evolving at a rapid pace. Practitioners should periodically review estate-planning retainer […]

Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #390 Date: 26-Aug-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter Subject: Alan Gassman, Martin M. Shenkman, Wesley Dickson & Joe […]

Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #389 Date: 05-Aug-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter Subject: Alan S. Gassman, Martin M. Shenkman & Joe Cuffel […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #180 Date: 17-Jun-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Newsletter Subject: Richard L. Fox, Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #175 Date: 18-Feb-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Newsletter Subject: Alan Gassman & Martin Shenkman – When is Rental […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2694 Date: 08-Jan-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Martin M. Shenkman, Alan S. Gassman, Joy Matak and Lee Slavutin: […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #163 Date: 03-Dec-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Newsletter Subject: Jonathan G. Blattmachr & Martin M. Shenkman: Trust and […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2663 Date: 13-Sep-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Lee Slavutin, Richard Harris and Martin M. Shenkman: Intergenerational Split Dollar […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #152 Date: 13-Aug-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Newsletter Subject: Alan S. Gassman, Martin M. Shenkman, Brandon L. Ketron, […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2651 Date: 17-Jul-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Lee Slavutin, Richard Harris & Martin Shenkman: Intergenerational Split Dollar, Recent […]

Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #362 Date: 19-Mar-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter Subject: Jonathan Blattmachr, Matthew Blattmachr, Martin Shenkman & Alan Gassman […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #136 Date: 12-Mar-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Newsletter Subject: Alan Gassman, Martin Shenkman, Jonathan Blattmachr & Brandon Ketron: […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2628 Date: 20-Feb-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Martin Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr – Summary of Selected Considerations After […]

Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #357 Date: 01-Feb-18 From: Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter Subject: Sandra D. Glazier, Martin M. Shenkman & Alan Gassman […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine December 2018 William D. Lipkind, Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan G. Blattmachr>  Incomplete non-grantor (ING) trusts, transfers to which aren’t completed gifts and aren’t grantor trusts […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine October 2018 Lisa R. Featherngill, Thomas Tietz, & Martin M. Shenkman  Much has already been written about the tax changes made by the Tax Cuts and […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2018 Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan G. Blattmachr  President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Act) […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine November 2017 Philip Cubeta, Thomas Rogerson & Martin M. Shenkman  Legacy planning is changing. Fewer clients need estate tax planning. Robo-advisors and artificial intelligence are making […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine August 2017 Sandra D. Glazier & Martin M. Shenkman  The practice of estate planning is evolving at a rapid pace. Practitioners should periodically review estate-planning retainer […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2017 Jonathan G. Blattmachr & Martin M. Shenkman  The election of Donald J. Trump as President, along with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, may lead […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2016 Stanley H. Teitelbaum & Martin M. Shenkman  In crafting an estate plan, many clients struggle with sleepless nights caused by wrenching emotional issues pertaining […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine April 2016 Martin M. Shenkman, Neil D. Blicher, Anthony R. Bartlett & Dania Jekel  Asperger syndrome (AS) is a neurological condition on the autism spectrum. It’s […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine January 2016 Jonathan G. Blattmachr & Martin M. Shenkman  T he· election . of Donald J. Trump as our 45th President was largely unexpected. While it’s […]

Trusts & Estate October 1, 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Religious issues are too often overlooked in the estate-planning process. For the nearly 70 million Catholics living in America, about one […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2015 Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan G. Blattmachr  The population is aging, as are our clients. Planning for the infirmities and challenges that often accompany […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2015 Martin M. Shenkman  Retiring baby boomers, as they age, will change the face of estate planning just as they’ve changed the face of so […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine September 2018 William D. Lipkind, Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan G. Blattmachr   The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act) has radically changed income and […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine October 2018 Louis S. Harrison, Kim Kamin & Martin M. Shenkman   The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act) dramatically changed trust planning. But […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2018 Martin M. Shenkman and Jonathan G. Blattmachr   President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine July 2019 Martin M. Shenkman, S. Mark Alton, Daniel K. Zismer & and Ben Utecht   Rapid and persistent advances in technology are increasingly threatening the […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine June 2019 Ann Koerner & Martin M. Shenkman   The importance of collaborative professional practice is essential when consulting with families with special needs considerations. Too […]

Trusts & Estate’s Magazine February 2019 Jonathan G. Blattmachr & Martin M. Shenkman   Document assembly systems (DAS) automate the creation of documents by generating them from intelligent templates. Do […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2745 Date: 03-Sep-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Estate and Tax Planning Roadmap for 2019-2020: Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan […]

Originally posted October 2019 on forbes.com Changing your domicile, the place you intend to permanently live, has been an important part of the tax, estate and legal planning forever. Avoiding […]

Originally posted October 4, 2019 on Forbes.com One of the most common estate planning tools is right now are non-reciprocal spousal lifetime access trusts (“SLATs”). We’ll explain that common planning […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Archive Message #720 Date:24-Feb-20 Subject: Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Robert S. Keebler & Joy Matak on the SECURE Act – Planning Ideas for […]

Martin Luther King Day is observed on Monday January 20, 2020. Wikipedia explains this day as follows: “King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully […]

“The professional athlete needs the same sound foundation of financial and estate planning that all wealthy clients require. However, the professional athlete typically faces many unique circumstances that must be […]

Originally posted on Forbes.com Introduction and Action Steps   The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, called the “SECURE Act” makes significant changes to how IRAs […]

Lower C corporation income tax rates have increased attention to the Code § 1202 exclusion for gain on sale of stock. We will discuss how that, and related provisions work, […]

Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #175 Date:18-Feb-19 Subject: Alan Gassman & Martin Shenkman – When is Rental Real Estate a “Trade or Business” Under 199A? “The […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2651 Date:17-Jul-18 Subject: Lee Slavutin, Richard Harris & Martin Shenkman – Intergenerational Split Dollar – Recent Adverse Decisions in Morrissette and Cahill, […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2745 Date: 03-Sep-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Estate and Tax Planning Roadmap for 2019-2020: Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan […]

WEALTH PLANNING>ESTATE PLANNING Catholic Considerations and Estate Planning Taking into account religious issues Martin M. Shenkman | Oct 01, 2015 Pope Francis recently concluded a 10-day tour de force in […]

Date and Time: Monday July 1, 2019 12 noon EST Course Description: You are invited to listen to a complimentary in-depth discussion of a case of extreme importance. The Supreme […]

Date and Time of Webinar: Wed, Jun 19, 2019 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT. Description: Each component of a client’s estate and financial plan can embody their Christian values, […]

Date and Time of Webinar: Wed, Jun 19, 2019 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT. Description: This 90-minute program will review new cases, rulings, news articles and more from the […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com In a recent email exchange with a colleague, Richard (Dick”) Oshins, Esq. who practices in Las Vegas NV, Dick identified what he thinks are three of […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com · Elder financial abuse is a serious growing risk there are practical steps you can take to protect loved ones at risk. People are aging and […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com Estate planning is inherently fraught with risk and uncertainty, but some practical steps may mitigate some issues. Get Real about Planning Risk. When you think “Risky […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com Bernie Sanders estate tax proposal may foreshadow what Dems may propose if they can. What steps should you take now? Get off the planning couch and […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2725  Date:16-May-19 Lowenstein Sandler LLP – Thoughts on a Recent Malpractice Case  “A recent New Jersey malpractice case, Raia v. Lowenstein Sandler […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2715 Date:04-Apr-19 “While few, if any, believe the estate tax bill proposed by Sanders could be enacted with the current Trump White […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2728 Date: 04-Jun-19 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Martin M. Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr: Estate Planning Updates and Planning […]

Stanley H. Teitelbaum and Martin M. Shenkman, contributors for WealthManagement.com Give your client options to help deal with tough emotional issues. Disinheritance creates complicated issues for many families. There are […]

Reprinted from Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter January 2019 Over the course of many years, LISI has been delighted to provide members with Marty Shenkman’s notes from the proceedings […]

Reprinted from Leimberg Information Services, Inc. January 8, 2019 “This newsletter is intended to provide clients with ideas how to enhance their planning in the new 2019 year. It can […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com Revocable trusts are about as common to estate planning as peanuts at a ballgame. These are contractual agreements between you (called the Settlor or Grantor) and […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com So, we estate planners have perfect estate and financial plans and nary a worry. Not! Most professionals are like the proverbial shoemaker with the barefoot children. […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com Your estate planning, including business buy-sell arrangements, trusts, prenups, are all intertwined, and all affected by the 2017 Tax Act, often in surprising and odd ways. […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com Adviser phones are r-ING-ing off the hook with questions about INGs. Taxpayers seem to love the hot item of the day. Now, I love a good ING as […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com The 2017 Tax Act doubled the estate tax exemption and basically eliminated the tax benefits for charitable bequests for most donors. But creative planning can both […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com New Tax Law: New Charitable Planning The Tax Cut Jobs Act of 2017 changed the landscape for charitable giving. While charitable giving has never only been motivated […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com New World of Charitable Planning The non-tax benefits of charitable giving should be, and often are, important to motivating and planning donations. Most donors, other than […]

Martin Shenkman Contributor Forbes.com IRS regulation restricts contributions in lieu of state tax payment to avoid SALT restrictions, but options remain daring taxpayers living in high tax states that have […]

 Speakers: Jonathan Blattmachr, Esq. and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. -How has trust and related planning changed in the current planning environment? -When and how should grantor or non-grantor trusts be […]

 Speakers: Jonathan Blattmachr, Esq. and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. -How has trust and related planning changed in the current planning environment? -When and how should grantor or non-grantor trusts be […]

Reprinted from Estate Planning Review – The Journal November 20, 2018 A 35 page review of income tax, financial and estate planning and other practical ideas on a wide range […]

Reprinted from ABA – American Bar Association e-report by Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq. October 2018 This article describes many ways seniors and those with health […]

Reprinted from Trusts & Estates Magazine by Louis S. Harrison, Kim Kamin & Martin Shenkman October 2018 Provides many creative ideas to make existing or new trusts and estate plans […]

Reprinted from Leimberg Information Services, Inc. by Jonathan G. Blattmachr and Martin M. Shenkman December 3, 2018 “In the wake of the Tax Cut Jobs Act of 2017 (‘Act’), the […]

Date and Time of Webinar: Wednesday, November 14th at 3:00 p.m.   Description: Incomplete non-grantor trust (“ING” Trusts), called “DINGs” if in Delaware, “NINGs” If in Nevada, and so on, […]

Reprinted from Leimberg Information Services, Inc. Oct 22, 2018 The 44th Annual Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute was held on October 11th 12th at the Century Center in […]

Reprinted from Leimberg Information Services, Inc. Oct 15, 2018 The 44th Annual Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute was held on October 11th 12th at the Century Center in […]

Sample language to use. Martin M. Shenkman , Alan Gassman | Apr 04, 2018 Some have interpreted the recent Alaska decision in Toni 1 Trust v. Wacker, 2018 WL 1125033 (Alaska, Mar. 2, 2018) as a death knell to […]

Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #362 Date:19-Mar-18 Subject: Jonathan Blattmachr, Matthew Blattmachr, Martin Shenkman & Alan Gassman on Toni 1 Trust v. Wacker – Reports of […]

 Steve Leimberg’s Income Tax Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #136 Date:12-Mar-18 Subject: Alan Gassman, Martin Shenkman, Jonathan Blattmachr & Brandon Ketron – Using Multiple Entities to Reduce Income Taxes for […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2628 Date: 20-Feb-18 Subject: Martin Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr – Summary of Selected Considerations After the 2017 Tax Act *Recently Published on […]

These notes were originally published in Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2623. They can be viewed here.

These notes were originally published in Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2621. They can be viewed here.

These notes were originally published in Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2620. They can be viewed here.

These notes were originally published in Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter Archive Message #2618. They can be viewed here.

  Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Impact on Estate Planning and Ancillary Planning Areas By Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq., and Joy Matak, JD, LLM   Previously […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2598 Date:    06-Nov-17 From:            Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject:        Martin Shenkman’s Day 2 Notes from the 43rd Annual Notre Dame […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2597 Date: 02-Nov-17 From:                  Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject:             Martin Shenkman’s Day 1 Notes from the 43rd Annual Notre Dame […]

By Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Joy Matak, JD, LLM   Introduction Since the election of Donald J. Trump as President, there has been intense buzz among estate tax planning […]

By: Martin M. Shenkman, Esq., Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., and Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq. Introduction One of the authors just received a call to assist those helping one of the […]

By: Martin M.  Shenkman, Esq. and Alan Gassman, Esq. The authors thank Steven J. Oshins, Esq. for his thoughtful comments and guidance in this area. This article was originally published […]

By: Martin S. Shenkman and Sandra D. Glazier[1]  This article was originally published in Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI).             In 1786 Robert Burns wrote his insightful poem commonly referred […]

Introduction A New Jersey case evaluated the performance of a court appointed guardian for an incompetent ward.[1] The case highlights the fact sensitive, “he said/she said” nature of the performance […]

reprinted with permission from wealthmanagement.com http://www.wealthmanagement.com/estate-planning/having-tough-client-conversations-about-health-issues Every estate and financial planner must ask and discuss tough issues with clients. One of the toughest centers around the client’s health. Without an […]

Free Consumer Webinar:  Consumer: Estate Planning Basics (for People Not Subject to Estate Tax) Course Description: This is a CONSUMER level course on basic estate planning. This course will help […]

1. Discussion. a. Portability was supposed to simplify the estate tax system. Prior to portability, if one spouse died, to secure that deceased spouse’s exemption required affirmative planning in most […]

1. Discussion. In Powell, the Tax Court, in a reviewed decision, determined that the assets that had been transferred to a family limited partnership (“FLP”) were included in the decedent’s […]

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 12 noon (ET). Speakers: Martin M. Shenkman, Esq., Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq., and Peter Fidler. Sponsor: Interactive Legal and Peak Trust Company. Course […]

Explanation: The following is a sample letter for a physician to provide to a patient/taxpayer to use as support for claiming a home medical improvement expense deduction. The illustration uses […]

Date and Time: Thursday June 15, 2017, 4pm EST Speakers: Gideon Rothschild, Esq., Martin Shenkman, Esq. and Rebecca Provder, Esq. Course Description: Trusts are one of the most powerful tools […]

By: Andrew T. Wolfe, Esq. and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq.   Flexible SLATs Key Ingredient in Advisor’s Toolbox   In the current environment of uncertainty, many married clients should consider […]

Dear Colleague/Friend: Every spring and summer for the past seven years, my wife Patti and I, accompanied by our adorable therapy dog Elvis, spend 2+ months traveling the country in […]

Date and Time: Thursday May 11, 2017 12:30 pm EST. Course Description: Karen Altfest, Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, and Martin Shenkman will present a practical, non-technical, webinar for professionals to help […]

“Assisted suicide.” While the phrase itself may evoke strong emotions on each side of the issue, it is important that everyone affected (whether because you or a loved one face […]

Foreword The following remarks and comments were based in part on a review of a recent book The Life Insurance Policy Crisis by E. Randolph Whitelaw and Henry Montag, published […]

The NJ estate tax exemption increased from $675,000 to $2M in 2017 and the tax is repealed in 2018. President Trump has proposed a repeal of the federal estate tax. […]

Date and Time:          Monday March 6, 2017, 12 noon EST Speakers:                    Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Rebecca A. Provder, Esq. Course Description: Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements (“agreements”) are ubiquitous in matrimonial practice. […]

Speakers: Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Alan S. Gassman, Esq. Date of webinar: Tuesday February 21, 2017, 1pm EST Course Description: Asset protection planning is appropriate for every client, not […]

Speakers: Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Alan S. Gassman, Esq. Date of webinar: Tuesday February 21, 2017, 1pm EST Course Description: Asset protection planning is appropriate for every client, not […]

Free Webinar: Collaboration of the Estate and Financial Planning Team After the webinar a recording will be posted on www.shenkmanlaw.com/resources . Date and Time: Tuesday February 7, 2017 12:00 noon […]

Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson | Jan 26, 2017 From a federal estate tax perspective, there hasn’t been much tax uncertainty since 2012. There’s also never […]

It’s important to ascertain the decedent’s intent. Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson | Jan 05, 2017 The situation described in the preceding two articles in this […]

Wealth Planning>Estate Planning Planning for 2017 and beyond (part 2 of 4) Martin M. Shenkman, Andrew T. Wolfe, Alan A. Davidson | Jan 03, 2017 http://www.wealthmanagement.com/estate-planning/impact-federal-estate-tax-repeal In our prior article […]

I figured I had a few minutes when I was not using my New Year’s resolution gwee gym, or drinking my New Year’s resolution Marie Osmond lose 10 pounds in […]

      Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2491   Date: 19-Dec-16 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Martin Shenkman and Jonathan Blattmachr: Not So […]

  This is Part 1 of a 4-part article on the interplay of changes to state laws with the current uncertainty in the federal estate and gift tax laws. In […]

A recording of the Webinar can be found under the Resources tab of the website. The Power Point presentation for the webinar can be found at: https://shenkmanlaw.com/uploads/2016/12/Powerpoint-Estate-Tax-Repeal-Is-Not-a-Temporary-or-Permanent-Certainty-How-to-Plan-Now-Dec-12-2016.pdf A copy of […]

The 42nd Annual Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute was recently held in South Bend. Lots of great speakers and great planning ideas. Below are links to a selection of […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2478. “The election of Donald J. Trump as our 45th President was largely unexpected. It is difficult to forecast what that […]

Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Email Newsletter – Archive Message #2467 Date: 19-Oct-16 From: Steve Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter Subject: Martin M. Shenkman, Richard Greenberg & Glenn Henkel: The New Jersey […]

New Ruling   The IRS has just issued Revenue Procedure 2016-49 to provide assurance to taxpayers about an issue that many have pondered.   A Bit of Background: QTIP   […]

 Introduction   Showing sensitivity to a client’s religious concerns should be an integral component of estate planning. Religious goals can be achieved by integrating a client’s religious concerns into the […]

Introduction   Practitioners are still grappling with the intricacies and complexities of the Proposed 2704 Regulations. But it is vital to start addressing some of the long existing tax doctrines […]

Introduction   The Proposed 2704 Regulations prevent taxpayers from considering a range of restrictions that could otherwise reduce the value of an interest in an entity for transfer tax purposes. […]

  Dear Client:   Proposed Regulations Just Issued: The Treasury (IRS) just issued Proposed Regulations that could have a dramatic impact on your estate planning by eliminating valuation discounts. For […]

Introduction   On August 4, the Treasury Department issued Proposed Regulations that restrict or eliminate valuation discounts for family-owned businesses under IRC Sec. 2704. The Proposed Regulations will be the […]

Introduction   OK stop holding your breath! The long awaited discount Regs were just issued. 26 CFR Part 25 [REG-163113-02] RIN 1545-BB71. They will be published in the Federal Register […]

                                            ► Remainder Interest in Residence and Farms: Generally, a charitable deduction is not permitted for charitable gifts of less than a donor’s entire interest in property. IRC Sec. 170(a)(3). […]

Pre-Election Estate Tax Proposals – Why Care   Are major estate tax law changes in the offing? Perhaps, but my Ouija board smoked when I asked the question. So baring […]

 Introduction  Approximately 30 states have enacted some version of the Uniform Trust Code (“UTC”). New Jersey enacted its version of the UTC on January 19, 2016 and it becomes effective […]

  New Rules   The process of determining the value of estate assets, and filing the required estate tax return, have been made even more complicated by law changes that […]

Introduction   I was recently asked by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association to present a webinar on estate and financial planning for those living with pulmonary hypertension or “PH.” This article […]

  Not All Trusts Are Created Equal  Trusts are ubiquitous in planning and one of the most common motivations for the use of trusts is to minimize the risks that […]

Introduction to Catholic Considerations and Estate Planning   Pope Francis recently concluded a 10-day tour de force in the United States.  He was met by huge crowds in spite of […]

  By: Pastor Chris Edmondson and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq.   What is Estate Planning?   First, let’s define “estate planning” since it is commonly defined too narrowly. Estate planning […]

Jonathan Clements wrote the following in a recent article in Financial Planning, “To Beat Robos, Stop Selling Fantasies,” Aug. 31, 2015, at http://www.financial-planning.com/news/technology/clements-to-beat-robos-stop-selling-fantasies-2694000-1.html?utm_medium=email&ET=financialplanning:e5051599:52149a:&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=Aug%2031%202015-am_retirement_scan&st=email: “Many traditional advisors, of course, do far […]

Introduction   Most folks (and lawyers) tend to set up trusts in the state where they live and their lawyer practices. While this might seem logical, and it’s what has […]

Introduction and Background   It is common to include in a durable power of attorney the right for an agent (the person named to act on behalf of the principal […]

Introduction   “I don’t need life insurance because of the high estate tax exemption so I cancelled my policies and distributed the cash in my trust to my spouse.”   […]

Introduction   Powers of attorney are one of the most basic and important estate planning documents. Even most nonprofessionals are well aware of what a power of attorney is and […]

Introduction Estate, financial and related planning must always be tailored to reflect each person’s unique circumstances, needs, goals and objectives. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with […]

Introduction   Estate planning is rapidly moving away from the historical focus on bypass trusts and saving estate taxes. While many professionals have rightfully focused considerable attention on income tax […]

Background   When a benefactor, say a parent, loans an heir, say a child, funds, historically that transfer would have generally been desirable to treat as a loan. If the […]

This is the third and final article in a series intended to help trustees identify many of the steps to be taken and documents they might consider retaining as part […]

This is the second article in a series of three articles intended to help trustees identify steps to be taken, and documents they might consider retaining, as part of the […]

Trusts are ubiquitous in estate, tax, financial and asset protection planning. Everyone tends to be pretty focused on the decision process involved in creating a trust. However, clients and advisors […]

Introduction   Family limited partnerships (“FLPs”) and family limited liability companies (“LLCs”) have been a mainstay of estate and related planning for decades. FLPs and LLCs (collectively, “FLPs”) could have […]

Many people facing the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or any one of a myriad of other chronic illnesses may need to cut back on work or retire early […]

Introduction   What steps can solo professional practitioners take to address succession planning? If you as a solo practitioner become incapacitated, who can step in to assist? What happens to […]

Sometimes it can be incredibly useful to have another arrow in your planning quiver. Consider the following: A trust is set up to provide for your surviving spouse, your third […]

Understand Your Power We’re talking financial concepts not Ayurvedic. You’re planning for retirement and what will hopefully be decades of exiting “later life” following. You coordinate your financial and estate […]

The Simple Old Days In the simple days of yore a trust had a trustee. That trustee was the only “fiduciary” named. While that might have been simple, it wasn’t […]