Estate Planning

Are GRATs (Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts) Dead?

April 9, 2010

GRATs are one of the best estate planning techniques for families with welath of over 1 million dollars and they are under legislative attack. The time to act may be very limited. Read more if you have ever considered a GRAT.

Life Insurance and Estate Planning – What Are They Saying Behind Our Backs?

April 3, 2010

By Dave Frees

Get the scoop on what life insurance sales people and their industry are saying about the federal estate tax and estate planning when you're not looking.

When is My Gift Tax Return Due? Read On If You’re Short On Time!

April 3, 2010

By Dave Frees

Gift Tax Returns Are Due Now! Gift tax returns are due by April 15th of the year following the gift. You must file a return if you have made a gift of a hard to value asset such as real estate or an interest in a closely held business. You may also need to …

Difficult IRA Beneficiary Designations-Naming A Trust

April 1, 2010

By Douglas L. Kaune

Although you are permitted to name anyone or anything as the beneficiary of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), there are many pitfalls that must be avoided. Naming a Trust as the beneficiary of an IRA is an important estate planning opportunity, but the Trust and the beneficiary designation language must be drafted properly to insure …

Owning S Corporation Shares in a Trust: ESBT vs QSST vs Grantor Trust

March 26, 2010

By Douglas L. Kaune

ESBT vs QSST vs Grantor Trust Owning S Corporation Shares in a Trust can be tricky business. There are three types of trusts that can qualifiy with the IRS to own shares of an S Corporation: 1. The Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST) 2. Electing Small Business Trust (ESBT) 3. Grantor …

Tax Court Case Alert: Gifts of Limited Partnership (FLP) Interests Fail to Qualify for Annual Exclusion

March 8, 2010

By Douglas L. Kaune

In a Tax Court case, Price v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2010-2 January 4,2010) gifts of limited partnership interests by parents to their three children did not constitute present interest gifts that qualify for the gift tax annual exclusion. The court stated that the present interest requirement is satisfied if the donee has immediate enjoyment …

Alert: PA Case Evidences Need To Review Tax Clause In Your Will

March 6, 2010

By Douglas L. Kaune

PA Case Tells Us To Review Tax Clause To Insure that the Correct Party Pays the Inheritance Tax on the assets In Your Estate. In Re Estate Of Thomas P. Allen, 2008 PA Super 260 Atlantic: 960 A.2d 470 the decedent had a will and the will contained a Tax Clause intended to determine whether …

Announcing Our Complimentary Will and Trust Review Clinic and Appointments

March 2, 2010

By Dave Frees

Do you want a complimentary will or trust review? The appointment is free for the first twenty -five....

Douglas Kaune, Esquire Attends 11th Annual PA Elder Law and Estate Planning Symposium

February 26, 2010

By Douglas L. Kaune

Douglas Kaune, Esquire Attends 11th Annual Pennsylvania (PA) Elder Law and Estate Planning Symposium. It is great to get an update regarding the law changes, new cases and politics that shape Elder Law, Estate Planning, Trust Planning and Probate. Here is a link to this Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) course and the interesting topics covered. I will …

Think Congress Is "Crazy" For Not Passing Some Kind Of Federal Estate Tax Law? Paul Volcker Agrees With You.

February 24, 2010

By Dave Frees

Estate and trust lawyer, David Frees on estate tax planning ideas and information on the crazy federal estate tax situation

We Listen.

Are GRATs (Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts) Dead?

Life Insurance and Estate Planning – What Are They Saying Behind Our Backs?

When is My Gift Tax Return Due? Read On If You’re Short On Time!

Difficult IRA Beneficiary Designations-Naming A Trust

Owning S Corporation Shares in a Trust: ESBT vs QSST vs Grantor Trust

Tax Court Case Alert: Gifts of Limited Partnership (FLP) Interests Fail to Qualify for Annual Exclusion

Alert: PA Case Evidences Need To Review Tax Clause In Your Will

Announcing Our Complimentary Will and Trust Review Clinic and Appointments

Douglas Kaune, Esquire Attends 11th Annual PA Elder Law and Estate Planning Symposium

Think Congress Is "Crazy" For Not Passing Some Kind Of Federal Estate Tax Law? Paul Volcker Agrees With You.

Sophisticated, Responsive and Focused.