Inheritance tax

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 …

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 …

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 …

No More Federal Estate or “Death” Taxes! Who said this on the View?

March 8, 2009

By Dave Frees

OK. This is not a completely serious blog entry. But wait. Federal estate taxes and death taxes are a serious topic. Have you ever wondered why your family has to pay a death tax? Have you ever thought that the federal estate tax seems unfair or that you have already paid taxes many times already …

Taxes and Estate Planning – What Tax Systems Really Matter?

March 1, 2009

By Dave Frees

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 …

How long does probate take?

February 25, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

The length of the probate process in Pennsylvania (PA) or other states varies greatly from estate to estate. The determining factors include the assets involved in the estate, the experience of the Executor/Administrator and counsel and the ease in dealing with the beneficiaries. Contrary to common belief, the process is rarely impacted by the actual …

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 …

PA Inheritance Tax

January 30, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

The inheritance tax is a tax on the assets owned or controlled by a decedent at the time of his or her death and applies to assets individually owned, jointly owned and with beneficiaries designated. The tax does not apply to life insurance on the decedent’s life. It also applies to assets the decedent gifted …

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 …

We Listen.

Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls

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

The Death Tax Update

No More Federal Estate or “Death” Taxes! Who said this on the View?

Taxes and Estate Planning – What Tax Systems Really Matter?

How long does probate take?

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

PA Inheritance Tax

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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