The GRAT Explained Briefly – How To Get Money Out of Your Estate and Pay No Gift Tax
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
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
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 …
PA Inheritance Tax
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 …
Stimulus and Federal Estate Tax Bills – What’s Missing and What Do You Do Now?
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 …
Does The Federal Estate Tax Apply To You? You Might be Unpleasantly Surprised – Or Not
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 …
More On The Federal Estate Tax – Straight from the IRS
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, …
Obama To Keep The Estate Tax and Action Is Expected Soon
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 …
Estate Planning and Asset Protection For Families In A Difficult Economy – The Silver Lining
Yes. Believe it or not the current economic down turn presents some serious estate and asset protection planning advantages. Now I never encourage clients to give away or to give up control over assets that they might need. But, once your core assets reach a point where you feel secure in maintaining your lifestyle, …
Welcome to The Wealth Preservation Trust and Estates Section Blog
Are you – Worried about your children and grandchildren getting sued or divorced and losing their assets or an inheritance? Concerned that your estate plan no longer reflects your current thinking or the current laws? Wondering how to best protect your assets and your lifestyle for yourself and your heirs? An Executor or administrator, or …