Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. As we start off the New Year, we need to think of…tax planning! Some years Congress tweaks the laws more than in other years. While 2022 held plenty of events: the war in Ukraine, an improved “bivalent” coronavirus vaccine addressing new coronavirus variants, the U.S. midterms elections, etc., it was a relatively quiet year for legislative changes impacting planning. … [Read more...] about Tax Planning for 2023
2023 Estate Tax Exemption and Gift Tax Exclusion Update (Video)
In this Vlog, Attorney Maggie A. LaBranch-Gonzales discusses the 2023 Estate Tax Exemption and the 2023 Gift Tax Exclusion. … [Read more...] about 2023 Estate Tax Exemption and Gift Tax Exclusion Update (Video)
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Attend Exclusive Legal Conference in San Diego, California
Leading Silicon Valley estate planning and elder care law firm Litherland, Kennedy & Associates was invited to attend one of the nation’s premier legal educational conferences held in San Diego, California from November 3 – 6, 2022. The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys hosted their 29th annual Fall Summit, which included attendees from over 90 qualified estate planning law firms around the country. The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is committed to providing … [Read more...] about Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Attend Exclusive Legal Conference in San Diego, California
Discharge of Indebtedness Income and Student Loan Forgiveness
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Shortly after signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law, President Biden announced his plan to use executive action to cancel up to $10,000 of student loan debt for borrowers under certain income thresholds and an additional $10,000 for borrowers who received Pell Grants. Some support this action, while others condemn it and threaten lawsuits. While nothing is … [Read more...] about Discharge of Indebtedness Income and Student Loan Forgiveness
Do I Pay Income Taxes on Living Trust Payouts?
The revocable living trust is a very versatile estate planning tool that can be the ideal choice for a wide range of people. Before we look at the taxation question, we will explain a few of the benefits so you understand why living trusts are so effective. Probate Avoidance Some people assume that the executor of a will can act independently without supervision, but this is not the case. The will must be admitted to probate, and a court would provide supervision during the administration … [Read more...] about Do I Pay Income Taxes on Living Trust Payouts?
How Do I Trust Thee…Part II
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Many Estate Plans rely upon a revocable trust as one of the foundational documents in the plan to avoid probate. Sometimes, plans include irrevocable trusts to achieve tax-driven results or for other reasons. No matter which kind of trust a client considers, of the many decisions that clients make when creating an Estate Plan, naming a trustee tops the list in … [Read more...] about How Do I Trust Thee…Part II
How Do I Trust Thee…Part I
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Many Estate Plans use a revocable trust as the foundational document in the plan to avoid probate. Probate can be an expensive, time-consuming, and public process. Some plans include irrevocable trusts to achieve tax-driven results or for other reasons. No matter which kind of trust we consider, of the many decisions that clients make when creating an Estate … [Read more...] about How Do I Trust Thee…Part I
How Do I Title Thee…Part II
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Assets owned by an individual provide the landscape for an Estate Plan. A qualified estate planning attorney might recommend certain techniques because of the type of assets a client owns. In addition, the attorney may recommend the use of various entities, like a trust, to hold title to those assets. This is the second part of a two-part series exploring the … [Read more...] about How Do I Title Thee…Part II
How Do I Title Thee…Part 1
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. It’s impossible to fully understand Estate Planning without considering the goals of the clients, along with their underlying assets. After all, many of the more advanced Estate Planning techniques depend upon obtaining discounts for assets and considering which technique to recommend based on a client’s assets. Some clients lack specific knowledge regarding not … [Read more...] about How Do I Title Thee…Part 1
Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The advent of websites like “Legal Zoom” may lead you to believe that you can create your own estate plan without the assistance of a qualified Estate Planning attorney. You may believe or have heard that writing your intentions on a piece of paper might suffice as a Will. When you write your testamentary intentions on a piece of paper entirely in your own … [Read more...] about Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
