Asset Protection

Taxes and Estate Planning – What Tax Systems Really Matter?

March 1, 2009

If you are a Pennsylvania resident, there are many different taxes and tax systems that have to be considered in creating any truly effective plan. In addition to the federal estate taxes, you should also consider the effect of gift taxes, state and federal income taxes, the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax, and in many cases, the …

Family Get Togethers and Business Meetings Are Part of Leaving a Great Legacy and Building A Great Life and A Great Estate Plan

March 1, 2009

By Dave Frees

How meeting software and calendar coordinating web sites make your life a little better, your relationships stronger, and your estate and asset planning more effective. Have you found that the pace of your life or your business is so hectic that even getting together with family, friends, and for business is getting harder …

Saving For, Paying For, And Planning For The Expenses of College Education

February 15, 2009

By Dave Frees

Many clients ask us about how to plan and to save for college as part of their estate planning, asset protection planning, and tax planning. In our Enhanced Estate Planning Process (TM), we focus on the many ways that families can protect assets for the things that are important. And, lifestyle, family values, and educating …

The GRAT Explained Briefly – How To Get Money Out of Your Estate and Pay No Gift Tax

February 10, 2009

By Dave Frees

Have you ever heard of a GRAT or a “Walton GRAT”? The Grantor Retained Annuity Trust is a powerful estate planning and asset protection technique that allows wealthy families and modestly wealthy families to move a great deal of value without incurring gift taxes at the time of the transfer. The GRAT also allows …

Protecting Children and Granchildren Form Divorce and Lawsuits

February 10, 2009

By Dave Frees

Concerned that a child or grandchild might lose an inheritance to divorce or a lawsuit? There are techniques that can be used to protect lifetime trusts and transfers and transfers under your will. Often referred to as Beneficiary Controlled Trusts, or testamentary asset protection trusts, these vehicles can give an heir control over assets …

Worried About Asset Protection? – Insurance is Your First Line of Defense

February 9, 2009

By Dave Frees

Asset protection has been an overlooked part of most estate plans. However, as the costs and incidents of litigation have risen, and as awards have become larger, clients are increasingly interested in what options and information we offer to help them protect their assets – not just from taxation and will disputes – but also …

Stimulus and Federal Estate Tax Bills – What’s Missing and What Do You Do Now?

January 29, 2009

By Dave Frees

There are still people arguing for the elimination of the federal estate tax. However, it appears that it is here to stay. This article in the New York Times makes some interesting points. But, if the tax remains, there are some unique planning opportunities and it will be good to know what we have …

More On The Federal Estate Tax – Straight from the IRS

January 27, 2009

By Dave Frees

At Unruh Turner Burke and Frees, the Trust Estates and Wealth Preservation section has developed a number of valuable resources for our clients to both understand and to manage their federal estate tax liability. We represent many affluent and moderately affluent clients and families who want to minimize or eliminate this tax, reduce inheritance taxes, …

Does The Federal Estate Tax Apply To You? You Might be Unpleasantly Surprised – Or Not

January 27, 2009

By Dave Frees

Effective as of January 1, 2009, the federal estate tax has a new exemption amount. Currently, estates are exempt if they are below $3.5 million Dollars. That’s the good news. The bad news is that many people may still be subject to the tax even though they think that they and their families are free …

Obama To Keep The Estate Tax and Action Is Expected Soon

January 12, 2009

By Dave Frees

If you are interested in the status of the federal estate tax and how it may affect your planning as a resident of Pennsylvania please read more of the brief article that I posted this morning summarizing the Wall Street Journal’s analysis of the President and Congressional views on the need to move quickly on …

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Taxes and Estate Planning – What Tax Systems Really Matter?

Family Get Togethers and Business Meetings Are Part of Leaving a Great Legacy and Building A Great Life and A Great Estate Plan

Saving For, Paying For, And Planning For The Expenses of College Education

The GRAT Explained Briefly – How To Get Money Out of Your Estate and Pay No Gift Tax

Protecting Children and Granchildren Form Divorce and Lawsuits

Worried About Asset Protection? – Insurance is Your First Line of Defense

Stimulus and Federal Estate Tax Bills – What’s Missing and What Do You Do Now?

More On The Federal Estate Tax – Straight from the IRS

Does The Federal Estate Tax Apply To You? You Might be Unpleasantly Surprised – Or Not

Obama To Keep The Estate Tax and Action Is Expected Soon

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