The fiscal cliff. The fiscal cliff. Once more: the fiscal cliff. It's on everyone's lips lately, and political leaders in the U.S. are working to avoid it. As for a comprehensive solution, predictably Republicans and Democrats disagree. But there is one major aspect...
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Ridgewood Estate Planning Blog
How to reduce a spouse’s and the children’s estate-tax liability?
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Dec 10, 2012 | Inheritance And Estate Tax
Say you have a second spouse, and you want to ensure that he or she receives a significant amount of your estate after you die. Seems simple enough, right? Just include in your will the amount you want your spouse to inherit.But what if New Jersey residents also want...
Creating a durable power of attorney in New Jersey – when and why?
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Dec 7, 2012 | Estate Planning
In the event that something like Alzheimer's disease occurs to you and you are unable to act adequately on your own behalf, do you have the protections in place to safeguard your desires for your New Jersey estate and your affairs? If not, you should seek to create a...
Hurricane Sandy debacle for elderly in nursing homes
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Dec 6, 2012 | Medicaid Planning / Nursing Home Planning
Troubling news is coming out of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor 'easterner that have recently hammered New Jersey and the Eastern seaboard. It appears that those in most need of assistance evacuating the storms and also most likely to suffer due to the...
Where Congress will land on 2013 estate and gift tax exemption still unclear
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 30, 2012 | Inheritance And Estate Tax
Our readers have probably heard the talk about the coming fiscal cliff in Washington. For those who are unaware of the debate, it basically involves the cumulative effect of various laws that would result in tax increases and spending cuts if left unchanged. The focus...
May still be time to gift in 2012, but gift planning should be done carefully
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 28, 2012 | Inheritance And Estate Tax
Our regular readers know that we've spoken frequently about the upcoming changes in tax law that will impact estate planning in the coming year. The gist: tax bills on large gifts are set to increase substantially in 2013, which means now is an ideal time to do...
Estate planning after divorce requires specific considerations
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 26, 2012 | Estate Planning
Estate planning is a multifaceted discipline in that it includes aspects of various specialties, from tax law, insurance, health care, Medicaid, and divorce law. With respect to divorce, estate planning requires a special approach. In addition to dealing with the...
Body of “George Jefferson” buried after will dispute resolved
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 19, 2012 | Wills
We have written before on this blog about the unfortunate situation with the body of actor Sherman Hemsley, famous for his role in "The Jeffersons." As our regular readers know, Hemsley's body has been in limbo due to a probate dispute, and has been prevented from...
Including pets in estate planning ensures they are cared for
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 16, 2012 | Estate Planning
Including pets in estate planning is not something we Americans take all that seriously, even if we love our pets. And while the consequences of this oversight may not be that drastic in the big picture, there are times when we can see the effects a little more...
Some issues to consider with respect to special needs planning
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Nov 9, 2012 | Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning / Nursing Home Planning, Trusts
Caring for a child with special needs is something that is close to the heart of a good number of Americans. This is a particularly important issue dealt with in estate planning. Many parents facing this issue aren't sure where to begin, though. While there are...