Flat Fees For Lawyers – Executors Want to Know the Cost of Probate
If you are an executor of a Pennsylvania estate, read this artcile before you hire counsel. The one thing that families, beneficiaries and executors all want is to minimize the costs of probate and even administering a trust or estate not subject to probate. Most firms still charge according to fee guidelines, or on an …
529 Plans – Want To Know How The Obamas Are Saving For College For The Kids?
With the cost of 4 year college educations continuing to soar and, to out pace inflation, many of us are wondering how to save for our children. There are a variety of tools ranging from multiple 529 plans to UTMA accounts, to trusts, and outright savings in the parent’s own names. But, if you want to …
Want to know more about Pennsylvania and Asset Protection?
Asset protection is a practice of using certain strategies and tactics, to legally and ethically protect your assets from various risks such as litigation, taxation, divorce and other claims. It differs from ordinary estate planning but many professionals, real estate owners, and business owners now seek added levels of protection in Pennsylvania that go beyond …
A Great Little Estate Planning Article
This article is a quick read and very informative on the issue of how and why to work with your advisers to make sure that your estate planning works.
Over $3.5 Million Dollars In Assets? The GRAT is Right – Right Now
The Wall Street Journal has an excellent article on the virtues and reasons for a GRAT right now. If you have been considering a GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust) there has probably never been a better time. Want to know more? Read on… www.paestateplanners.com
Documents In Order Can Mean Savings Of Time, Fees and Can Eliminate Trouble
Completing your Enhanced Estate Plan(TM) our proprietary process (often consisting of a Will, Power of Attorney, Advanced Medical Directive and one or more Trusts), is often viewed as the end of the process. But, smart clients and estate and asset protection planners know that there is still a bit more to do. I can hear …
Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls
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?
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?
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 …
Protecting Your Home Contracting Business – Does This New Law Apply To You or Your Business?
This blog and this department of the firm focus on wills, trusts, estate and asset protection. But, there is no better form of asset protection than making sure that your Pennsylvania based business complies with new laws. Indeed, the newest act that may affect your business applies if you do work or sell products related …