• Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • Client Testimonials
  • Seminars
    • Public Seminars
    • Client Seminars
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Elder Law & Medi-Cal Services
    • Estate Planning
    • Retirement Planning
    • Loss of a Loved One
    • LGBT Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Power of Attorney
    • Probate
    • Trust Administration
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Help Parents with Young Children
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
  • Elder Law
    • Conservatorship
    • Coping with Alzheimer’s
    • Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Life Care Planning Services
    • Geriatric Care Management
    • San Jose Medi-Cal Planning Attorneys
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Estate Planning Resources
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning Reports
      • Basic Estate Planning Reports
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Seminars
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Professional Resources
    • Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques
    • Frequently asked questions
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • LGBT Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
    • Newsletters
    • Estate Planning & Related Forms
  • Review Us
  • Contact Us
  • BLOG

WAEstate

Helping Families Preserve Their Wealth and Legacy

Connect with us today(408) 356-9200

Attend a Free Seminar

Tax Tips after New Year

January 30, 2019Legal Education, Estate Planning

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.The ball has dropped in Times Square and we’ve bid farewell to 2018. But there are still a few things we can do to adjust our tax liability for 2018 before filing tax returns on April 15.First, you’ll need to organize all your tax records. That way, you’ll have some idea of what your tax liability might be. After you’ve organized your tax records, if you find you … [Read more...]

Good News for those interested in Medi-Cal Eligibility who have 529 Education Accounts

January 22, 2019Estate Planning, Medi-Cal/Medicaid/Medicare, 529 Plans

by Justin M. KennedyLitherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at LawEffective January 1, 2019 the principal and interest of 529 education accounts (college savings plans) are exempt assets for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes (AB 1785).Let’s look at an example:Ten years ago, Margaret set up 529 education accounts for each of her four grandchildren and each year Margaret deposited $5,000 per grandchild into the 529 education accounts. Currently, these 529 education accounts … [Read more...]

Selecting an Agent

January 16, 2019Estate Planning, Legal Education

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.A Secret Agent may be very important to protecting the nation. Your Agent is just as important for your protection. An Agent is the person who makes financial decisions for you under a Financial Power of Attorney or makes medical decisions for you under a Health Care Power of Attorney. The Agent under your Financial Power of Attorney may act for you when you aren’t … [Read more...]

SALT and Non-Grantor Trusts

January 11, 2019General, Taxes

by Justin M. KennedyLitherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at LawAs we start a new tax year, it may be time to revisit some of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which increased the standard deduction to $12,000 per person or $24,000 per married couple. For those who do not itemize their deductions, this may be great news.  However, for those who do itemize, there may be some significant tax consequences in the new law.  The new law included a deduction cap of ten … [Read more...]

Medi-Cal and Disaster Payments

January 5, 2019Medi-Cal/Medicaid/Medicare

Medicaid; Medi-Cal

by Justin M. KennedyLitherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at LawWhat if a fire or other natural disaster hit your home or a loved one’s home?  Could this result in Medi-Cal disqualification?  Let’s discuss.The home of the Medi-Cal recipient is an exempt asset, meaning the recipient may keep their home while receiving Medi-Cal.  If the home is sold, the proceeds from the sale could result in Medi-Cal disqualification.  But what if that home rather than being sold, … [Read more...]

Turning the Page on 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019

January 2, 2019Estate Planning, Legal Education

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.There are a few changes for 2019. Going into 2018, there were many changes because of a new tax law, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which impacted both the estate tax and the income tax. But, there are few changes heading into 2019. It appears things are relatively stable, taxwise, at least for now. Of course, the estate and personal income tax portions … [Read more...]

Exciting News! We are now Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law

January 1, 2019General

We are happy to share the exciting news that effective January 1st the new name of our law firm is Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law.Justin has worked closely with Roy W. Litherland for the past 7 years as an Associate Attorney, is certified as a legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and has been actively educating our clients and community on estate planning and elder law issues through … [Read more...]

Naming a Trust as Beneficiary of an IRA

December 27, 2018Estate Planning, Legal Education

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.With IRAs and Qualified Plans, after the death of the “Participant” (the lifetime owner), there are required minimum distributions based on the life expectancy of the beneficiary. Often, people think that an individual must be named as the beneficiary of the retirement assets in order to use the beneficiary’s life expectancy and to prevent a forced faster … [Read more...]

QDRO: Not Just for Divorce Anymore

December 21, 2018Estate Planning, Legal Education

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.Transferring an ERISA account, like a 401(k), from one spouse to another can have substantial tax benefits, by delaying Required Minimum Distributions or avoiding early withdrawal penalties. However, one cannot simply transfer an account from one spouse to another under most circumstances without triggering adverse tax consequences. A Qualified Domestic Relations … [Read more...]

Being Thankful and Sharing Your Blessings

December 19, 2018Estate Planning, Legal Education

Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.As we gather around the Holiday table, we see the faces of our loved ones and we contemplate how grateful we are for them and for all our blessings.“We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” – John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States.“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” — W. Clement … [Read more...]

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 65
  • Next Page »

FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube

Testimonials

Feeling of Confidence! Very well thought-out professional system covering all foreseeable events relating to our estate. We are very pleased with the detailed guidance. All the staff members have been of the highest professional level.

- Jit and Roseanne K

Blog Subscription

CAMPBELL

Campbell Office
3425 S. Bascom Ave, Suite 240
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 356-9200

See Larger Map Get Directions

Campbell Office Hours

Monday8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

APTOS

Aptos Office
9057 Soquel Dr., Bldg B, Suite D
Aptos, CA 95003
Phone: (831) 476-2400

See Larger Map Get Directions

APTOS OFFICE HOURS

*BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Map

attorneyoffice_sidbr_map
  • Speaker Connection
  • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
  • About The American Academy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC



Attorney Advertisement

© 2019 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.