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Mar
Federal Transfer Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the annual inflation adjustments for the 2019 tax year: 2017 2018 2019 Gift and Estate Tax Exclusion $5,490,000 $11,180,000 $11,400,000 GST Tax Exemption $5,490,000 $11,180,000 $11,400,000 Gift Tax Annual Exclusion $14,000...
View MoreCategories: Estate Planning Ira Distribution Planning Taxation
06
Mar
What does it mean when the assets of someone who has died goes through probate?
Below is a simplified version of the first 90 days of the probate process…. In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court (the “Clerk of Court”) is the basically the Probate Judge and is responsible for overseeing most all estate matters. Appointment: If a resident of North Caro...
View MoreCategory: Trust Administration
06
Mar
Green Burials
A question that is raised more and more during consultations with my clients relates to the concept of “green” burials. When I speak with a client about their desires regarding the disposition of remains, there are usually only two options to discuss: cremation or burial. We disc...
View MoreCategory: Estate Planning
06
Mar
Simultaneous Death Could Result in a Simultaneous Estate Disaster
We are often asked by our clients about what happens if there is a simultaneous death. While this occurrence is very unlikely, our clients are nevertheless concerned that it might happen to them. It happens not only in airplane crashes, but in thousands of car crashes a year res...
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06
Mar
The New Uncertainty in the Estate Tax Law Creates Opportunities for Gifting to Heirs and Charities
Forbes magazine published an article earlier this year entitled: “Trusts In The Age Of Trump: Time To Re-Engineer Your Estate Plan. ” One of the most favorable provisions in the new tax law–Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)–is the doubling of the number of assets you can pass to heirs...
View MoreCategory: Trusts
06
Mar
StraussSecure™ and Passing Down Cryptocurrency Securely
In today's modern world, people experience incredible benefits from technology every day. Cell phones allow for immediate communication with anyone at any time; while the internet empowers people to gain instant knowledge on any subject at the click of a button. With all o...
View MoreCategories: Estate Planning Firm Trusts
06
Mar
When you want to say “No Thank You”
What is a disclaimer? A “disclaimer” is a legal no thank you. It is an irrevocable and unqualified refusal to accept an interest in property. The effect of a disclaimer is as if no transfer was made to or from the person making the disclaimer. Most states have statutes that allo...
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06
Mar
How do Martial Arts Relate to Elder Law Planning?
Many clients consult with attorneys in our firm in order to make plans to deal with the effects of aging on themselves or their parents. With proper planning we are able to help families preserve assets in the face of daunting long-term care expenses. These long-term care expense...
View MoreCategories: Elder Law Estate Planning
06
Mar
Estate Planning Document Organizer
Make preparations now to keep family and loved ones secure when you are no longer here! Have you ever seen estate planning documents that are in fancy docket covers, folded up and placed in a bank safety deposit box for safekeeping? We see them all the time. We often joke that th...
View MoreCategories: Estate Planning Trust Administration Trusts
06
Mar
Estate Planning for Everyday Folks
One of the biggest misconceptions that I hear as an estate planning attorney is that creating an estate plan is just for the wealthy. The timeworn saying that the only two things that are inevitable in this world are death and taxes never had a $ sign or dollar amount in the say...
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