Sometimes you need to go to trial for a divorce. Family law attorney and principal Alan Plevy discusses what happens when you and your spouse can’t reach an agreement. Read more »
Divorce Trials: What Can I Expect?
What estate planning strategies are available for non-U.S. citizens?
Non-U.S. citizens in the United States face some estate planning challenges when it comes to taxes. If you’re a U.S. resident, but not a citizen, the IRS treats you similarly to a U.S. citizen, with a few exceptions. But if you’re a nonresident alien, the tax treatment of your estate will be significantly different. Read more »
5 estate planning tips for the sandwich generation
The “sandwich generation” accounts for a large segment of the population. These are people who find themselves caring for both their children and their parents at the same time. In some cases, this includes providing parents with financial support. As a result, estate planning — which traditionally focuses on providing for one’s children — has expanded in many cases to include aging parents as well. Read more »
On WTOP: New Tax Law May Make Your Divorce Even More Expensive
As if divorce isn’t difficult enough, the new tax law does away with the alimony tax break. The change would likely make divorce more expensive for the person paying their ex — and will have an immediate effect on divorce negotiations. News radio WTOP turned to SmolenPlevy founding principal Alan Plevy on how the new tax law could affect people getting a divorce. Read more »
In The Media: Dan Ruttenberg Shares 5 Reasons You Should See an Estate Planning Attorney to Avoid Probate Court on ABC 7
ABC 7 reports on how people are losing their property and more in probate court. They turned to SmolenPlevy’s Principal Dan Ruttenberg for tips on how to protect yourself. He advises it’s important to know when it’s time to consult an estate planning attorney to avoid trouble in probate court later. Read more »
Who should be the guardian of your minor children?
If you have minor children, arguably the most important estate planning decision you have to make is choosing a guardian for them should the unthinkable occur. It’s critical to put much thought into this decision to ensure your children would be cared for as you wish in such a situation. Read more »
Estate Tax Alert: Tax Bill Opens Door to New Options
President Trump just signed the GOP tax bill this morning, which Congress passed on Dec. 20. Officially numbered H.R. 1, and awkwardly dubbed “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018,” the legislation includes some good news for high-net-worth families seeking to protect and pass along more of their assets tax-free. Read more »
A dynasty trust keeps on giving long into the future
With a properly executed estate plan, your wealth can be enjoyed by your children and even their children. But did you know that by using a dynasty trust you can extend the estate tax benefits for several generations, and perhaps indefinitely? A dynasty trust can protect your wealth from gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes and help you leave a lasting legacy. Read more »
SmolenPlevy Recognized Among 2018 ‘Best Law Firms’ by U.S. News & World Report
SmolenPlevy is honored to announce the firm’s inclusion once again in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” ranking published by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. SmolenPlevy is recognized for its outstanding work in the areas of family law, family law mediation, business organizations, and trusts and estates. Read more »
Asset Valuations and Your Estate Plan Go Hand in Hand
If your estate plan calls for making noncash gifts in trust or outright to beneficiaries, you need to know the values of those gifts and disclose them to the IRS on a gift tax return. For substantial gifts of noncash assets other than marketable securities, it’s a good idea to have a qualified appraiser value the gifts at the time of the transfer. Read more »
Charitable giving pièce de résistance: Artwork donations
Charitable giving is a key part of estate planning for many people. If you’re among them and own valuable works of art, they may be ideal candidates for charitable donations during your life. Read more »
IN THE MEDIA: SmolenPlevy Principals On Air to Discuss Sharing Your Child’s Expenses After Divorce
It’s back-to-school season, and for divorced or separated parents, the question is: Who is paying for the expensive TI-84 calculator their child needs for class? Alan Plevy is featured on WTOP and Mandy Walker's popular Since My Divorce blog to weigh in on what is covered with child support and how parents can decide who will pay for out-of-pocket expenses. Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson shares her own insights on these complex family law issues on WUSA 9’s Great Day Washington. Read more »
What is a charitable lead trust?
Families who wish to give to charity while minimizing gift and estate taxes should consider a charitable lead trust (CLT). These trusts are most effective in a low-interest-rate environment, so conditions for taking advantage of a CLT currently are favorable. Although interest rates have crept up in recent years, they remain historically low. Read more »
SmolenPlevy Principals Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
SmolenPlevy is pleased to announce Principals Jason Smolen, Alan Plevy, Daniel Ruttenberg and Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson are named in the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for 2018. Co-Founding Principal Jason Smolen is also honored as the Best Lawyers® 2018 Business Organizations “Lawyer of the Year” in Washington, D.C. Smolen, Plevy, Ruttenberg and Dickerson were selected for this honor by other leading lawyers from the Washington, D.C. area in the specialties of business organizations, family law, family law mediation, and trusts and estates. Read more »
Videotaping Your Will Signing Can Produce An Undesired Outcome
Some people make video recordings of their will signings in an effort to create evidence that they possess the requisite testamentary capacity. For some, this strategy may help stave off a will contest. But in most cases, the risk that the recording will provide ammunition to someone who wishes to challenge the will outweighs the potential benefits. Read more »
