Estate Planning

Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls

April 13, 2009

Joint bank accounts are often established by individuals with the hope of creating an account with one or more of the following benefits: probate avoidance, reduced inheritance taxes or as a convenient way to allow family member to write checks and pay bills. Unfortunately there are numerous Medicaid/Elder Law Planning, estate planning and asset protection …

Tax Day and Gift Tax Returns Do You Need and Extension to File?

April 13, 2009

By Dave Frees

Have you set up a GRAT, given a check or gifted property worth more than $13,000.00, paid for tuition or medical expenses for another person, given away real estate, corporate or business interests or other hard to value assets in 2008. Your gift tax return may be due. Be sure to file or get an …

“Freeze” or Radical Increase in the Federal Death Tax on You and Your Family?

April 11, 2009

By Dave Frees

Read this just posted an article on the Federal Government’s claim that the proposals circulating in congress are a decrease in the tax and are quite reasonable. For competing views on this controversial tax and how to plan for it read this article by Chester County based will, trust, estate and asset protection lawyer …

"Legacy Locker" Protecting Your Online Passwords and Accounts for Your Beneficiaries

April 8, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

Many of us have multiple email address, online bank and stock accounts and conduct social and business activity through sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. I also have a significant number of clients who have business related websites that are responsible for generating a great deal of revenue. We do not necessarily want to make …

Federal Estate or “death” Tax and The New York Times

April 3, 2009

By Dave Frees

There are many views on the issue of estate taxes. The New York Times editorial may not be your view but it is worth a read. Do you think that a tax at your death should not be labeled a death tax? Read the New York Times Death Tax Editorial. David M. Frees …

Senate Votes On A budget Bill to Exempt More Estates – Will It Hold?

April 3, 2009

By Dave Frees

While this is only a budget bill, and only in the Senate, there was some movement on estate tax reform today. If this type of bill were to ultimately pass the house and senate it would allow many more couples, and individuals to do estate and asset protection planning for their heirs without some of …

IRA Trusts, Providing Extra Creditor and Asset Protection

March 31, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

IRA’s and other tax deferred retirement plans can now be left to trusts for your beneficiaries instead of directly to the beneficiaries. These IRA Trusts are broadly categorized as either conduit trusts or accumulation trusts. These trusts must be written with care in order to insure that not only are the assets protected from the …

New Alert ON RMDs From IRAs

March 30, 2009

By Dave Frees

If you are 70 1/2 or older there are new rules on required minimum distributions from your IRA. Just click the highlighted line to read more. David M. Frees III Pennsylvania Lawyer Avvo Rated 9.4 Superb. Visit our convenient offices serving Chester County, Montgomery County, as well as Lancaster County, Berks …

Will Your Estate Owe Federal Estate Taxes?

March 30, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

Many of us are wondering whether or not our Executors, Administrators, beneficiaries or Trustees will have to pay estate taxes at the time of our death. I came across an excellent article in Smart Money that will help you answer the question, Will My Estate Owe Estate Taxes? This should help you get a …

The Death Tax Update

March 29, 2009

By Dave Frees

Both the Senate and the US House of Representatives are now working on bills that would reform the federal estate tax (also known as the death tax) before the end of this year. Both bills contain a $3.5 million dollar exemption per person. This would allow an individual Pennsylvania resident to shelter $3.5 million dollars …

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Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls

Tax Day and Gift Tax Returns Do You Need and Extension to File?

“Freeze” or Radical Increase in the Federal Death Tax on You and Your Family?

"Legacy Locker" Protecting Your Online Passwords and Accounts for Your Beneficiaries

Federal Estate or “death” Tax and The New York Times

Senate Votes On A budget Bill to Exempt More Estates – Will It Hold?

IRA Trusts, Providing Extra Creditor and Asset Protection

New Alert ON RMDs From IRAs

Will Your Estate Owe Federal Estate Taxes?

The Death Tax Update

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