2014: New Rules; New New Year’s Resolutions!
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014 2013 introduced significant legal and social developments in our country such as: the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor resulting in federal rights being available to married same sex couples individuals delaying their retirement age due to increased life expectancies, weakened retirement systems and poor financial planning and states like…
Key Tax & Financial Figures for Estate Planning in 2014
Important Figures to Know As You Plan for 2014 Beginning January 1, 2014, several federal agencies will be providing cost of living increases to select government programs and tax related laws. Be sure you have current information before you take steps to qualify for Medicaid or, make gifts and certainly discuss it with your accountant. Here…
Pet Trusts
Your Beloved Pet Deserves a Pet Trust Recently, more people are including their pets in their estate plan. In 2012 a Tennessee resident died and provided for the future care of his two casts in his Last Will & Testament. He has left $250,000.00 and his home to Frisco and Jake. The monies that remain after…
Lessons I Learned from my Father
My father, Howard Schneider, died on November 16, 2013. When I graduated law school my father told me that the experience would serve me well and he was right. My father’s legacy is his work ethic, the importance of one’s character and credibility, and the bravery he exhibited living with Parkinson’s. I am grateful for his legacy as it…
How Much Does a Simple Estate Plan Cost?
Ever since the United States economy tanked in 2008, along with the downturn in the Florida real estate market, I’ve observed that a lot of people became frozen by the fear of not having enough money and delayed seeking elder law advice to resolve important legal issues. Many families found themselves in a legal crisis.…
How to Find a Healthcare Advocate
Choosing A Healthcare Fiduciary Now that you are motivated to have legal documents prepared to designate a medical decision-maker in the event of your incapacity you might find yourself asking “whom should I name?” This question is not uncommon especially for people who: are not married or are divorced or whose spouse is deceased or…
Trustee Of Special Needs Trust Violated Fiduciary Duty
All trustees face the challenge of forecasting future needs of special needs trust beneficiaries. In order to develop an expenditure plan that is reasonable and based on realistic expectation of the beneficiary and their family requires the trustee must get to know the person. Otherwise, the trust assets will not be used in the most…
Yes, Virgina-You Do Need Legal Planning Documents
“I’m Not Wealthy – Do I Really Need Legal Documents?” Yes Virginia You Do. Do you feel that you do not have enough assets to justify making a Last Will & Testament, Durable Power of Attorney or Designation of Health Care Surrogate? You are not alone, and nothing could be further from the truth. Wealth, like beauty, is…
Medicaid Protections Should Be Available To Same-Sex Married Couples
Several major federal agencies have announced that they are now providing federal benefits to same-sex legally married couples. Most recently, the Internal Revenue Service announced that same-sex legally married couples would receive all federal tax rights and responsibilities as provided to heterosexual couples Click here for I.R.S. Release. The best news is that these rights…
U.S. Treasury recognizes Same Sex Marriage based on ‘Place of Celebration’
FINALLY – I.R.S. RECOGNIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGES FOR TAX PURPOSES While there have been many positive developments for the LGBT community since the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Windsor on June 26, 2013, I think the most notable is the U.S. Treasury’s press release of August 29, 2013. There is no more uncertainty when it…
