by Magdalena A. LaBranch-Gonzales Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law At our recent client appreciation event, we recommended that our clients have “The Talk” with their kids or loved ones… I know what you’re thinking; but it’s not that Talk. It’s probably been years since you’ve had to sit through that uncomfortable talk about the birds and the bees only to find yourself facing a new level of uncomfortableness. How do you talk to your kids or loved ones about your … [Read more...] about THE TALK: Priorities, Preferences and Wishes
Estate Tax Exemption Amounts to Increase
by Justin M. Kennedy Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law The IRA has announced the new Estate Tax Exemption amount (hereinafter “Exemption amount”) for 2020. The new Exemption amount will be Eleven Million Five Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($11,580,000). This Exemption amount is per U.S. Citizen – meaning a married couple may pass over Twenty-Three Million dollars Estate Tax free ($23,160,000 in 2020). To provide historical context, in 2002 the Exemption … [Read more...] about Estate Tax Exemption Amounts to Increase
Thank You for Helping Team Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Reach Our 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Fundraising Goal
On Saturday, October 12th, and Sunday, October 13th, Team Litherland, Kennedy & Associates participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Our combined fundraising goal was $2,200, and we exceeded our goal by $505! Today, as many as 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s – and nearly 11 million more act as caregivers for a loved one with the disease. Your donation will help by advancing the Association’s efforts in Alzheimer care, support and research. Thank you again for your … [Read more...] about Thank You for Helping Team Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Reach Our 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Fundraising Goal
New California Law Impacts Caregivers Who Marry a Dependent Spouse
by Justin M. Kennedy Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law On June 26, 2019, the Governor signed into law AB 328 - this law is meant to protect dependent adults from being taken advantage of by their caregivers. A dependent adult is defined as a person who is 65 or older and either (1) is unable to provide properly for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter, or (2) due to one or more deficits in the mental functions the person had … [Read more...] about New California Law Impacts Caregivers Who Marry a Dependent Spouse
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates – Why We Walk to Help End Alzheimer’s
On Saturday, October 12th, our law firm team will be walking in the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's. Following is the story of why our geriatric care manager, Dedra Jize, is walking. I have been working with families who have been afflicted with Alzheimer’s for almost 10 years. I have seen the emotional stress and the financial strain it puts on families, especially for spouses. When families get the support they need, the journey becomes more reasonable, especially for those who desire … [Read more...] about Litherland, Kennedy & Associates – Why We Walk to Help End Alzheimer’s
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Law Firm Team Joins 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Silicon Valley, CA Saturday, October 12, 2019 Alzheimer’s disease is relentless. So are we. Alzheimer's disease touches so many people; It affects our clients, our family members and our friends. It can feel lonely and isolating to be facing it, or to be supporting someone who has been diagnosed with it. But we're not alone. Our office is walking for all of our clients, our family members, and our friends who have been affected by this unforgiving … [Read more...] about Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Law Firm Team Joins 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
American Academy Awards Fellow Designation to Justin M. Kennedy – Kennedy Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Experience and Service
SAN DIEGO, CA – [August 16, 2019] – The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys [AAEPA] announced that Estate Planning Attorney Justin M. Kennedy of Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law, has been awarded the Academy Fellow designation. The Fellow program recognizes Academy Members who demonstrate advanced expertise and significant practical experience in the total estate planning, trust, tax planning, probate and estate administration fields. “Our Members already … [Read more...] about American Academy Awards Fellow Designation to Justin M. Kennedy – Kennedy Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Experience and Service
Attorneys Justin M. Kennedy and Magdalena A. LaBranch-Gonzales Selected as 2019 California Rising Stars
Attorneys Justin M. Kennedy and Magdalena A. LaBranch-Gonzales have been selected to the 2019 California Rising Stars list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process, which results … [Read more...] about Attorneys Justin M. Kennedy and Magdalena A. LaBranch-Gonzales Selected as 2019 California Rising Stars
When You Love Your New Spouse, But You Love Your Kids More
Whether You Should Disinherit Your New Spouse and How California Law Protects Your Omitted Surviving Spouse by Magdalena A. LaBranch-Gonzales Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law What happens if you marry your spouse after you created your estate plan but they are not mentioned in your plan when you die? California considers that person an “omitted spouse.”[i] An “omitted spouse” is a spouse who married the decedent after the estate plan was already created but … [Read more...] about When You Love Your New Spouse, But You Love Your Kids More
SALT and Non-Grantor Trusts
by Justin M. Kennedy Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law As 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...] about SALT and Non-Grantor Trusts
