Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Maze of Estate Planning
In a brand new revenue ruling (Revenue Ruling 2008-41), the IRS now recognizes that Charitable Remainder Trusts may be split up on a pro-rata basis and still preserve their tax advantaged status under the Internal Revenue Code. A Charitable Remainder … Continue reading
The Maze of Tax Law
In a brand new revenue ruling (Revenue Ruling 2008-41), the IRS now recognizes that Charitable Remainder Trusts may be split up on a pro-rata basis and still preserve their tax advantaged status under the Internal Revenue Code. A Charitable Remainder … Continue reading
Strategies for an Uncertain Election Year
How should we deal with the uncertainty of taxe rates this election? Well, the conventional wisdom is that tax rates will rise, no matter who is elected. A recent Wall Street Journal article by Tom Herman summarizes the positions of … Continue reading
On "Negative Inheritance"
Boston Elder Law specialist Harry Margolis posts about the idea of what economists call a “negative inheritance,” where the costs of care for elderly parents outstrip any “gift” which might ever be received. As he writes, the costs are “financial, … Continue reading
In my last post, I reviewed one online estate planning product, Docubank, which operates as a “living will” retreival system for health care professionals. I recently became aware of another relatively new service, Estate++. Estate++ has several services, but is … Continue reading
"Docubank" for the Storage of HIPAA Releases and Powers of Attorney
I recently became aware of a service which maintains and makes available legal documents, such as releases under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (known as HIPAA releases) and living wills. HIPAA releases permit confidential medical records … Continue reading
How to Give? Ideas from the Rich, and Near Rich
There are a myriad of ways to give, if you are so inclined. Some give directly to institutions (such as qualified charities) while others create trusts for this purpose. Giving through a trust can be complex, and might involve (for … Continue reading
Thoughts on Planning for College
What are the best ways to plan for college? And what should you expect to pay for college? According to a recent U.S. News and World Report article written by Kim Clark, yearly college costs, without grants, vary from $4,552 … Continue reading
The Use of Insurance
Insurance is an important part of any estate plan. Those with small to medium sized estates, a life insurance policy is an important part of a financial or estate plan
How to Avoid a "Dry" Trust
Many clients who spend good money to an attorney to have a trust prepared sometimes don’t consider the next step, which is funding their trust. A trust is essentially a useless piece of paper unless it is funded. “Funding” comes … Continue reading