by Karen Stewart | Jun 28, 2018 | Estate Planning
On this federal holiday, also known as Independence Day, marking the Colonies’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared independence from the Great Britain and its king, we thought it would be appropriate to share some fun facts...
by Karen Stewart | Jun 13, 2018 | Estate Planning
Under the estate tax rules in effect a few years ago, any unused exemption of the first spouse to die went out the window, and the surviving spouse was left with only his or her single exemption. Therefore, if the first spouse to die simply left everything to the...
by Karen Stewart | May 30, 2018 | Estate Planning
The American Taxpayer Relief Act made permanent changes to the federal estate and gift tax rules. Here are the basics: The federal estate tax exemption is $11.18 million for estates of individuals who die in 2018 (up from $5.49 in 2017). A 40% tax rate applies to the...
by Karen Stewart | Apr 25, 2018 | Estate Planning
If A = B and B = C, then A = C. This is the “transitive property of equality” that we learned in our remedial algebra classes so long ago. Is there a transitive property of fiduciary duties? We know that the trustee owes duties of care to the trust beneficiaries. We...
by Karen Stewart | Apr 6, 2018 | Estate Planning
Without specific estate instructions concerning distribution of tangible personal assets, such as household furnishings, jewelry, artwork, china and silver, tools, collections etc., family members can be left guessing what a deceased person would want – or decide to...
by Karen Stewart | Mar 23, 2018 | Estate Planning
In the days after a person dies, some family members may decide to take matters into their own hands. These individuals may have a key to the home and decide they are going to take items they want. Before the Will is even read, furniture, jewelry, artwork and other...
