I hear this question all the time: “How quickly can I close probate?”  Or they will say, “letters were just issued by the court… so now much longer until probate is over?”  Or, “so my dad just died can we end the probate by next month?” The simple fact is probate is 7 months minimum […]

It can be overwhelming to some to hire an attorney. They don’t even know what will happen at the first meeting. Here are some thoughts so you know what to expect. A few steps: – Pick up the phone and call us for an appointment. – We can usually get you in for an appointment […]

The folks in DC are still twiddling their thumbs, posturing, or just out playing golf!? So nothing new has developed out there and thus the fiscal cliff is coming. The loss of the greatest gift and estate tax exemption of my lifetime is about to sunset into history. Will we look back on 2011 and […]

The end of the year is often a time when I remind people to work on their estate planning now. Why now? Well, first and foremost your estate plan is for your loved ones; family, friends, charities. What better time to think about your loved ones than Thanksgiving and the end of year holiday season!? […]

There are a lot of great estate planning tools available to use. Clearly everybody should have a will, a financial “durable” power of attorney and a health care directive (or “living will”).  However, there are other options. Two that I particular like are the Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) and the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust […]

I met with a client recently with family assets that would be perfect for a family LLC or FLP.  The client owned three properties with their siblings. There was a valuable home and two commercial properties.  Currently each sibling owned 1/3 and thus they are a de facto “general partnership.”  This is probably not the […]

I saw the following in Stephen Leimberg’s Estate Planning Newsletter.  This week’s issue written by Marty Shenkman and Bob Keebler who are well known national experts on tax law. I will quote Mr. Shenkman and Mr. Keebler’s words and then provide a couple of points below that as my added commentary: “Likely Changes to the Current […]

As an estate planning attorney I often have the pleasure of meeting with retired veteran’s. On this day we are reminded to say THANK YOU!  I forget the other days but am occasionally reminded when a retired vet comes in, often very elderly, with their WWII hats and the like. What an honor it is […]

I remember back in late 2001 when they came up with the major tax changes of 2002. I suppose those can be categorically called the “Bush Tax Cuts.”  It seemed like the ultimate politician’s agreement… a temporary fix to the estate and gift tax laws. How can an estate planning attorney plan with a temporary […]

Sherman Hemsley is deceased… and just like the Jefferson re-runs will go on forever… his probate case may also.  This is an interesting one and it clearly underscores the importance of a really good estate plan. Mr. Jefferson was a very successful businessman on the Jeffersons. My recollection is he made his money in the […]