In our last post, we took a look at the Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust as a technique for minimizing estate and gift taxes. Another technique, also trust-based, is the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT). GRATs can allow those who establish them to transfer a...
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Grantor trusts can help minimize estate, gift tax
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Mar 1, 2012 | Inheritance And Estate Tax
Trusts can be a very valuable tool in estate planning, particularly with respect to estate and gift tax minimization. Various types of trusts can be established for this purpose, though the setup one chooses should be based on the particulars of their financial and...
Clooney film offers handful of helpful estate planning lessons, P.2
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 24, 2012 | Estate Planning
In our previous post, we began looking at a recent Forbes article discussing surprisingly helpful estate planning lessons drawn from a recent George Clooney film which was nominated for Oscars in five different categories. The name of the film is "The...
Clooney film offers handful of helpful estate planning lessons, P.1
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 23, 2012 | Estate Planning
A recent Forbes article highlighted some of the estate planning lessons that were embedded-ironically enough-in a recent film called the Descendants. The film, starring George Clooney, was reportedly nominated for Oscars in a handful of categories.According to the...
Caring for pets that outlive you
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 17, 2012 | Estate Planning
Planning for the care of pets is among the tasks people include in the estate planning process. To some, it may seem silly, but for others, their animal friends are their world. For those who want their pets are cared for in the event of the death, it really is best...
Gifting in 2012: take advantage of favorable estate planning conditions
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 16, 2012 | Estate Planning
As our readers may know, big changes may be in store for estate planners and their clients in 2013, and time is running out to take advantage of favorable estate planning conditions. In fact, the current situation is the most favorable estate and gifting environment...
Stock options and estate planning, P.2
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 11, 2012 | Estate Planning
In our previous post, we began discussing options for dealing with employer stock option in one's estate plan.As we noted, if one leaves either and incentive (ISO) or a nonqualified (NSO) type of plan to one's estate, one needs to make sure the executor has the...
Stock options and estate planning, P.1
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 10, 2012 | Estate Planning
How any given person's estate plan will turn out depends on a number of factors, including their family structure, their goals, and their assets. In the latter category, one of the often overlooked assets is stock options.Many people own stock options, but in some...
Divorce, elective share and estate planning
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Feb 1, 2012 | Estate Planning
Those who have been through divorce understand well how it can affect nearly every area of one's life. Estate planning is no exception.Under New Jersey law, a spouse-even those disinherited in a will-may be entitled to one third of their partner's augmented estate....
Guardianships for minor children: an important aspect of estate planning, P.2
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Jan 31, 2012 | Estate Planning
In our previous post, we began looking at the topic of minor guardianships. As we noted, selecting a guardian or guardians for minor children is an important aspect of estate planning, and for many it is the careful decision they will make in their will.When you...