Estate Tax

Planning for the future is important for everyone, regardless of income level or the size of one's estate. Many people neglect to take formal estate planning steps because they believe that they do not need it, but in reality, it is a necessity in order to protect...

There are many things in life that the average person in California does not want to do; however, it is important that some of these things are addressed. For instance, many do not want to pay bills or taxes, but if these items are not paid there could be serious...

Perhaps the only thing that is certain is that the political landscape throughout California and the United States as a whole is changing. Each political party has stated their case, and the voters have made a decision. Along with the many other changes that will...

Over the years, the average individual will accumulate both assets and liabilities. These will often be in the form of real estate, investments, collections, mortgages and other personal debt. While this accumulation is normal for most California residents, how to...

Although no one is bigger than life, of course, a few select entertainers almost seem to assume that stature, especially when their fame endures in a big way after they pass away.The media is still saturated with myriad reports focused upon varied aspects of the...

The bottom line that clearly emerges in a recent estate planning article centering on taxes is that tax considerations are not something to be narrowly or separately considered by any planner.Put another way: Tax repercussions and consequences can cut -- and usually...

The realm of estate administration is rife with specialized vocabulary and even esoteric terms that are used daily by experienced legal practitioners in the field, yet are far from being squarely in the public parlance.Take the term "portability," for instance. Do you...

Can charitable giving to a nonprofit actually have a financial benefit to donors or an estate plan? According to a recent article, that answer is yes. Specifically, financial gifts might allow an individual to reap tax benefits, in addition to ensuring a steady income...

Estate planning questions often center on transfers to children, but a recent article reminds us that philanthropic giving is also a consideration for many Americans.The rewards of including charitable transfers in one’s estate planning are typically not measured in...

According to recent data, less than one percent of estates -- around 0.14 percent -- owed federal estate tax in 2014. That figure may reflect the high federal estate tax exemption, set at $5.43 million for 2015.Does this data indicate that taxes are no longer a...