Attorneys And Counsellors At Law
When a loved one passes away, it is important to ensure that all of his or her affairs are in order. This includes paying off any debts, as well as paying any necessary federal and state taxes required on an estate. There is an estate tax, which taxes both the […] Read more »
Families come in all shapes and sizes – which means estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. When planning for your family’s future, it’s important to understand that depending on your situation, you may require different estate planning considerations. If you have stepchildren or are unmarried with biological children, you and your […] Read more »
The difference between a living will and a last will is a frequent cause of confusion during the estate planning process. Both documents can detail decisions you would want made on your behalf if you were unable to do so, but they are each used at different points in time. […] Read more »
4 Ways to Assist Elderly Parents with Estate Planning You may have sealed the deal on your own estate plan, relieved that the lengthy process is now behind you. Well, not so fast… More often than not, elderly parents need your assistance with theirs. Principals Jason Smolen and Daniel Ruttenberg […] Read more »
Looking to finally cross estate planning off your lengthy to-do list? It’s crucial to remember that estate planning is definitely not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Even if you think your particular planning situation is simple, that’s almost never the case. Turning to quick and inexpensive online services to draft […] Read more »
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens to your assets after you die. It’s also about protecting yourself and your loved ones. This includes having a plan for making critical medical decisions in the event you’re unable to make them yourself. As with other aspects of your estate plan, the […] Read more »
Did you know that the United States has the highest rate of children living in single-parent households? According to the Pew Research Center, nearly a quarter (23%) of U.S. children under the age of 18 live with one parent. This is more than three times the number of children from […] Read more »
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some people to contemplate their own future or that of a family member. For those whose life expectancies are short — because of COVID-19 or for other reasons — estate planning can be difficult. But while money matters may be the last thing you want […] Read more »
Listen up Washington D.C. residents – D.C lawmakers are lowering the threshold for imposing estate taxes from $5.6 million to $4 million. This move will generate an extra $1.8 million for the city. But how does it affect you? Any D.C. resident with an estate over $4 million, is now […] Read more »
Estate Planning During COVID-19 The COVID-19 crisis offers us a reminder to be prepared – and provides an opportunity to take control in these uncertain times. “A lot of people put off estate planning, but now is the time to take care of some of the things you have been […] Read more »
Silver linings are difficult, but not impossible to spot at the moment. One bright spot: the free time we’re faced with provides a perfect opportunity to take care of your long-delayed estate plan. Why not get it off your plate and off your mind? Estate planning attorney Dan Ruttenberg offers […] Read more »
If you’re planning on buying a home that you wish to one day pass on to your adult children, a joint purchase can reduce estate tax liability, provided the children have sufficient funds to finance their portion of the purchase. With the gift and estate tax exemption now set at […] Read more »
Federal estate tax liability is no longer an issue for many families, now that the gift and estate tax exemption stands at $11.4 million for 2019. But there are still affluent individuals whose estates may be subject to hefty estate tax bills. If you expect your estate to have significant […] Read more »
No matter how much effort you’ve invested in designing your estate plan, your will, trusts and other official documents may not be enough. Consider creating a “road map” — an informal letter or other document that guides your family in understanding and executing your plan and ensuring that your wishes […] Read more »
A healthy Shih Tzu dog is euthanized to fulfill its late owner’s will. Now the question on everyone’s mind is – is it legal for a pet owner to determine their pet should be put to bed because they won’t be around to care for them? Principal Jason Smolen is […] Read more »
