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Mar
The Importance of Income Tax Planning
Income Tax planning is an integral part of Estate Planning. This blog examines what happens to the income tax basis of an asset when it is gifted or bequeathed. There are different rules for the basis of an asset that is gifted to you that one you are given by the death of someo...
View MoreCategory: Estate Planning
06
Mar
Inherited IRAs Face a Paradigm Shift in 2020 and Beyond.
The new SECURE Act changes estate planning regarding inherited retirement accounts starting in 2020. SECURE is in an acronym that stands for “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. ” The new SECURE act was signed into law on December 20, 2019, and is now in effect...
View MoreCategories: Ira Distribution Planning Trust Administration
06
Mar
Last-minute Charitable Ideas and Impending Major IRA/401(k) Legislation
BREAKING NEWS—IMPORTANT IRA LEGISLATIONA new bill called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, otherwise known as the SECURE Act has passed the Congress and was signed by President Trump on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act goes into effect January...
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Mar
Why can’t lawyers just use simple English in estate planning?
Estate planning documents are often difficult to read because lawyers have their own vocabulary. Ever come across the words “per stirpes”? It is a Latin phrase that has been used by lawyers for more than a century. It means by the bloodline and refers to a manner of distribution...
View MoreCategories: Estate Planning Trusts
06
Mar
End of Year News
We are almost at the end of another year, so it's a good time for us to highlight some estate planning strategies for you, caution against some common pitfalls and give a preview of possible things to come. The Estate Tax—The Sky’s The Limit, Or AlmostMost of u...
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Mar
R-E-S-P-E-C-T My Handwritten Will
By Carter B. Webb The legendary Aretha Franklin died August 16, 2018 at her home in Detroit, Michigan. At first, it appeared that she died intestate – meaning that she died without having signed a last will and testament. However, it was recently reported that three holographic...
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06
Mar
Picking the Lock: Modification of an Irrevocable Trust
A common refrain as I explain to my clients the difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust is the comment, “So, what happens once I die, and my trust becomes irrevocable? You're saying everything just locks in? What if it needs to be changed for s...
View MoreCategory: Trusts
06
Mar
Do Not Miss Out on All of the Medicaid Exemptions You are Entitled To
Medicaid rules can be confusing and even Department of Social Services caseworkers get their own rules wrong from time to time. Having an advocate that can work through the maze of rules can pay off for the family. In North Carolina, a Medicaid applicant can have up to a $10,000...
View MoreCategories: Elder Law Estate Planning Legal Advice Medicaid Vets
06
Mar
Planning for Incapacity in Estate Plans
As our population ages, the prevalence of dementia and other cognitive impairments that make it difficult to conduct business affairs is on the rise. An aging, demographics, and memory study conducted by the US government found that individuals over age 71 had a 13. 9% incidence o...
View MoreCategories: Elder Law Estate Planning Guardianships
06
Mar
Tiffany Tyler Resigning Prior to Move
It is with regret that we at Strauss Attorneys, PLLC announce the resignation of Attorney Tiffany Tyler. Tiffany has been offered another position in Minnesota and has chosen to move there with her husband to be closer to family. Since Tiffany joined our firm she has been a va...
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