There can be changes to tax laws that have an impact on your estate plan, and they often come about when a new presidential administration takes office. We are going to look at two matters that fit into this category, and we will start with capital gains taxes on inherited assets. Stepped-Up Basis Reform When numerous different candidates were vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, we heard a lot of different platform positions. Some of the candidates were in favor of the enactment … [Read more...] about Step-Up in Basis May Be Targeted
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Five Things You Should Know About Probate
A lot of people think that the estate administration procedure is very simple and straightforward when a will is used, and they assume that trust administration is much more complicated. In reality, this is a misconception. The executor acts as the estate administrator when a will is utilized, and the executor cannot act independently after the passing of the testator. Under the laws of the state of California, the will would be admitted to probate, and the court would provide supervision … [Read more...] about Five Things You Should Know About Probate
Updating Your Plan: Powers of Attorney
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including Powers of Attorney. Powers of Attorney are part of even the simplest estate plan. A Power of Attorney allows your Agent to act for you. There are Powers of Attorney for financial matters and also those for health care. It’s important to consider whether you need to update either of these powers. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Powers of Attorney
Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including your primary vehicle, such as a trust or will. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
Tax Planning for 2021
Planning is important for your income taxation during life as well as for any estate tax at death. Even though 2021 is just starting, it’s not too early to think about planning for whatever it may bring your way. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Tax Planning for 2021
Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including beneficiary designations. Beneficiary designations may control a large part of your assets and it’s important to be sure your plan is coordinated to consider these. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
It’s Better to Give, Especially This Year
Normally, you must itemize your deductions in order to benefit from them. In 2020, the standard deduction amount is $12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly. But this year, you can get a charitable deduction even if you don’t itemize. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about It’s Better to Give, Especially This Year
Is Joint Tenancy a Good Estate Planning Solution?
There is an expression about a little bit of information being a dangerous thing, and this often enters into the realm of estate planning. Sometimes you will hear about a so-called “simple solution” that sounds good on the surface, but an incomplete picture is painted. Joint tenancy would fall into this category, and we will take a look at the details in this post. Concurrent Ownership If you own property, you can establish a joint tenancy with another person, or multiple individuals. For … [Read more...] about Is Joint Tenancy a Good Estate Planning Solution?
Estate Planning: Resolve to Stop the Procrastination in 2021
When a new year rolls around, people make resolutions of various kinds. Some of them are related to bad habits, and you may resolve to take care of a responsibility that you have been putting on the back burner. With this in mind, we urge you to make 2021 the year that you finally put an estate plan in place. Disturbing Trend If you are going through life without an estate plan, you are making a mistake, but you are certainly not alone. Caring.com has been conducting annual surveys to get a … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Resolve to Stop the Procrastination in 2021
Genworth: Los Angeles Long-Term Care Costs Are on the Rise
The matter of long-term care is a pressing concern for members of the elder law community. Most senior citizens will need help with their activities of daily living, and more than one third of elders will require nursing home care. A lot of people are not too concerned because they know that they will qualify for Medicare when they are 65. They assume that Medicare will pay for long-term care since it is a health insurance program for seniors, and most of these folks will need living … [Read more...] about Genworth: Los Angeles Long-Term Care Costs Are on the Rise
