Estate Planning Lawyers in the USA


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Estate Planning Lawyers USA - Recent Legal Articles

  • Trust Fund Baby? Navigating the Inheritance Talk with Your Children

    A concern of many parents with a sizeable estate is that their children will inherit the assets before they are emotionally mature to handle it. Further, many parents of sizeable wealth either do not want to give their children a sense of entitlement or simply do not want to discuss their wealth with their children.

  • Fiscal Cliff Crisis Avoided? Estate Taxes in 2013

    In 2012, with the dreaded “Fiscal Cliff” looming, many were worried about the inaction that would cause the estate tax exemption level to fall to $1 million. However, in the first two days of the new year, Congress finally passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) which makes permanent the $5 million exemption as well as portability.

  • Action Required: Portability

    The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) extended and made permanent (i.e., until Congress changes its mind) a number of key estate tax provisions. This includes a $5 million ($5.25 including inflation) estate tax exemption and portability of a deceased spouse’s exemption to the surviving spouse. The result of this means that married couples can shelter up to $10.5 million of their estate from federal taxes.

  • Families Behind Revlon and Hudson Media Fight Bitter Legal Battle Over Enormous Inheritance
      by HG.org

    Samantha Perelman is a 23-year-old student at Columbia University, working on a masters of business administration and as a summer production assistant on the set of the HBO show “Girls.” Impressive credentials, to be sure, but more impressive is the legal battle in which she finds herself: she is fighting with her uncle for a share in an estimated $700 million inheritance.

  • Planning for the Future: Using Estate Documents to Protect Minor Children

    For many families, the birth of a child is the first life event that triggers the realization that estate planning is necessary. What most families may not realize, however, is the breadth of protection that can be afforded to their children with relatively simple estate planning. Not only can they assure that their assets will be protected for their children, they can also designate exactly how those assets will be distributed to their children.

  • Non-Residents and Estate Tax

    A Resident Non-Citizen is generally taxed for estate tax purpose as a US Citizen, except for marital deduction issues.

  • What Happens to Property if There is No Will?
      by HG.org

    If you have lost a loved one, there are many things on your mind, not the least of which may be what to do with the belongings that have been left behind. Sadly, family can become very attached to different items that may bear a sentimental value to them, or feel entitled to a portion of the estate's value. These problems can be greatly magnified in situations where there is no will.

  • Why Is It Important to Have a Will?
      by HG.org

    It is important that each person have a will that directs their family members and loved ones on how they want their final wishes to be carried out (i.e., burial, cremation, etc.), as well as how they want their estate to be divided after their death.

  • Estate Planning with an Existing Disability

    Experts frequently advise adults to create an estate plan early on in order to have their life and financial plans arranged in the event that they become disabled. But they do not often recognize the obstacles of those who are already suffering from a disability.

  • Estate Planning for the Elderly

    Estate planning is a complex process that requires strict attention to detail.