THE PROBATE PROCESS IN NJ
Probate is the process whereby a Will is proved to be valid by a Surrogate, who has the authority to determine the authenticity of such a document. It also involves appointing an individual for an
McCain & Obama’s Estate Tax Plans
From Wall Street Journal: Stayin’ Alive: How to Cheat The Estate Tax, by Tom Herman: The Obama Plan. Sen. Obama proposes a $3.5 million exclusion in 2009 and thereafter, with a top rate at 45%.
Estate Planning: More Than A Will
By Parag P. Patel, Esq.www.patellawoffices.com During our lifetime, most of us strive to create and build upon our net worth. We generate savings, purchase a home, and eventually invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs
Estate Planning Checklist
This initial estate planning questionnaire is presented in a narrative form. The detailed explanations and the space provided for answers are designed to garner more complete and helpful information than would be afforded by merely
Guardianship of Children With Special Needs
Two good posts coming from Leanna Hamill in Massachusetts and Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle in California on planning for children with special needs. Among the excellent suggestions are the following:Special Needs Trust – allowing parents,
Estate Planning in New Jersey
Estate Planning in New JerseyYou can save a lot of money and potential chaos and hard feelings among those closest to you by preplanning how you want your assets managed when you are incapacitated, and
Naming Your Executor
You should name an executor in your will. In order to decide who is best to carry out this position, you need to know what responsibilities the position has. The executor’s job is to start
Family Limited Partnerships, or more commonly now, Family Limited Liability Companies, are great vehicles for management & protection of family assets
Family Limited Partnerships, or more commonly now, Family Limited Liability Companies, are great vehicles for management and protection of family businesses, real estate, and investments. They also can be used to facilitate gifting, since interests
What is a Stretch IRA?
Trusts in General – A trust is a legal relationship that exists when one person or an entity (the Trustee) holds title to money or property for the benefit of one or more people (the
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 WITH TAX BENEFITS AND TRAPS FOR THE UNWARY
Today President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The eagerly anticipated housing-rescue law is intended to calm the mortgage market, the real estate market, homeowners on the verge of bankruptcy and
Family Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
As a proponent of Family Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) for asset management, creditor protection, and ease of gifting, I was pleased to read about the U.S. Tax Court’s decision in Mirowski v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo
The New Jersey Civil Union Act: Tax Benefits?
On February 19, 2007, following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision in Lewis v. Harris, New Jersey effectuated the Civil Union Act (hereinafter, “the Act”). The Act grants couples in same sex civil unions equal