Somewhere in a bleak house in Washington, D.C.a plot exists. The conspirators are working against a favorite planning tool, the grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT). Bill after bill has been born to limit the flexibility and power of the GRAT.1...
Once issued, a life insurance policy can remain in effect for decades. During this time, the original owner's goal and objectives may have changed, or a need for additional insurance or changes to the policy may have arisen. Too often...
Despite the economic recession, private foundations (PFs) led by individual donors and by families continue to form, grow and increase their grant making in one way or another. Indeed, a recent analysis of the giving patterns of 700 Foundation...
We're now entering the eighth month of 2010 a year in which we've had no estate tax. We're also facing possible legislation and uncertainty on other issues including the allowable terms and forms of grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and the...
It can be difficult on a personal level to watch a client, whom you may have known for years, begin to lose his mental capacity. But if that client is the settlor of a revocable trust of which you are a trustee, the settlor's incompetence can...
The federal government recently has enacted several laws increasing the reporting obligations of both U.S. resident and non-resident taxpayers and imposing additional taxes and penalties on non-compliant taxpayers. But how can the Internal Revenue...
For decades, the United States had a top marginal tax rate as high as 50, 70 and even 90 percent.1 As a matter of fact, for the past 50 years there have only been five years (1988 to 1992) when the top marginal tax rate was less than the current...
Since Jan. 1, 2010, trustees and personal representatives have faced a new transfer tax landscape one filled with questions but very few answers. For this one year, the estate and generation skipping transfer (GST) taxes have been eliminated and a...
Unmarried partners don't enjoy the protections and benefits that are unique to marriage. For example, unmarried partners aren't entitled to an intestate share and don't have the statutory right to demand an elective share, as spouses do. Unmarried...
