$3.5 Million Federal Estate Tax Exemption for 2009 Could Mean Higher State Death Taxes

If the federal exemption is greater than the state exemption, the difference may become subject to state death taxes.

Obama to Keep 2009 Estate Tax Level

President Obama wants to freeze the current estate tax level to $3.5 million which is the estate tax exemption amount for 2009.

Ten Things to Do to Prepare a Will for Probate

If you are the executor of a will there are many things you must do to get that will ready for probate. Probate means the process by which the deceased’s assets are gathered; outstanding debts, taxes, and expenses of the

Estate Planning When a Spouse is Confronting Health Issues (Estate Planning for the Healthy Spouse)

When one spouse is a resident of a nursing facility or medical institution (the “institutionalized spouse”), but the other spouse continues to live in the community (the “community spouse”), the community spouse may take a number of steps to retain

A great time for GRATs

The rate is the lowest it has been since the inception of the 7520 rate in May 1989.

2009 Tax Update

A few things have changed with the coming of a new year—below are some tax items to be aware of. Estate and gift taxes: The basic federal estate-tax exemption increased to $3.5 million from $2 million in 2008. The increase

HOW IS MY NJ ESTATE DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT A WILL IN NJ?

New Jersey law provides how your Estate will be distributed if you do die without a Will. The property referred to in this section deals with assets in the decedent’s name alone. A)If you die leaving a spouse or domestic