When an individual begins considering his or her estate plan, the question of asset protection almost invariably arises. Especially for those individuals with larger estates, small businesses, real estate or other money-generating assets, the return of the estate tax next year is daunting.
Congress Moves to Limit Trusts that Work Around Estate Tax
Estate Planning in the Age of Assisted Reproduction
Over the past 10 years, the number of families seeking the assistance of reproductive technology has doubled. As the possibilities for family planning have undergone dramatic changes, so have the options open to those wishing to plan their estate.
Four Things You Can Learn from Celebrity Estate Plans
When celebrity estate plans are covered in the news, it's usually not because they are particularly outstanding for any good reasons. Take Anna Nicole Smith's courtroom battles for part of her late husband's estate. Even though both of the main participants in this debate have since passed, the battle over assets continues.
Steve McNair's Estate Up in the Air
Last week, the judge overseeing late NFL quarterback Steve McNair's multi-million dollar estate allowed for the release of $2.5 million to McNair's widow and four sons. When McNair died in 2009, leaving an estate valued at more than $19 million and no personal will to speak of, the question of where his estate would end up immediately went to probate court.
When to Review Your Estate Plan: Upon the Birth of Child
We've discussed the estate plan as an evolving document in previous posts. While an invaluable tool for mapping the future, estate plans cannot take into account all of the changes you are likely to go through in your life.
No Clear Answer on Federal Estate Tax
When congress left Washington without determining tax rates for 2011, they left a lot of questions unanswered. Not least of all were those concerning the estate tax rate - not just what it would be renewed at, but whether or not it might be retroactively applied.
Planning for Healthcare: Remote Monitoring Can Prolong Independence
When you're looking at all of your assets and starting to think about building an estate plan, it's necessary to take into account future expenses. One of the most important sections of your estate plan will be the part that deals with end-of-life care and contains stipulations for nursing home placement.
Anna Nicole Smith's Probate Drama Continues Years After Her Overdose P.2
In our last post, we gave a bit of history on the Anna Nicole Smith probate debacle that has been playing out over the last 15 years. The Supreme Court current faces an important decision that will influence how the rest of the legal battle will play out.
Anna Nicole Smith's Probate Drama Continues Years After Her Overdose P.1
Back in the news this week was the seemingly never-ending probate case involving the now deceased model/actress Anna Nicole Smith to that of the also deceased Texas oilman billionaire J. Howard Marshall. The Supreme Court accepted a petition for review brought on behalf of Smith's estate after the federal appeals court ruled against them on how the estate should be divided.
