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On June 21, I was a panelist speaking on the topics described below, to an audience of lawyers, CPAs, wealth advisors and other professionals.  If you would like more information let me know.  Pre-Sale Planning and Wealth Management Experts Discuss Critical Issues Please join our expert panel as they discuss pre-sale planning and wealth management…. Read »

On June 6 at the Tysons Ritz Carlton, I was the invited speaker to a group of business owners on estate planning issues in 2018. Click here to view the presentation materials.

Recently I wrote about the importance of affluent taxpayers taking advantage of the $22.4 million exemption while it is available. Deciding to give, and how to give, is the major issue but not the only issue. Filing a gift tax return (Form 709) and providing an appraisal to support the value is critical. The legal… Read »

One of the major 2018 estate planning themes continues to be the importance of income tax planning within an estate plan.  With high exemption amounts – $22.4 million for a married couple – eliminating estate and income tax upon death is now attainable for all but the very wealthy.  Also of importance is how current… Read »

On May 16, I gave a presentation to BB&T and its customers regarding the intersection of income tax and estate tax in view of the new 2018 Tax Law.  View the presentation slides here.

Beginning in 2018, the exemption amount for estate and gift tax doubled to $22.4 million for a married couple, up from $11.2 million.  Thus, affluent taxpayers can remove more assets from their taxable estates and avoid estate tax in perpetuity for the benefit of their children and future descendants.  Many of these taxpayers should take… Read »

An article I wrote was featured as the lead piece in the May 2018 edition of Estate Planning magazine. It is titled “The ‘Simple’ Private Foundation-Changing One Life at a Time.”  Read the full article here: Estate Planning May 2018 Lead Article

Self-settled Trusts allow an individual to transfer assets to a Trust, protect the transferred assets from lawsuit and the transferor’s creditors, and yet receive assets as a Trust beneficiary. This assumes that the asset transfer is not a “fraudulent conveyance,” i.e., a transfer that did not render the transferor insolvent nor was it done with… Read »

Many taxpayers made charitable contributions in 2017 ahead of the 2018 law change that limits itemized deductions – and hence charitable deductions.  With tax returns due next week, it is a reminder that taxpayers who claim income tax deductions for charitable contributions must request and obtain the written acknowledgement from the done-charity of the donation… Read »

I am often asked, “what should I bring to our first meeting?” Although you have no homework, doing the following will help: Watch this video I have created to provide an overview of the issues we will discuss when we meet. Print the pre-interview form and bring it with you. Regarding your assets, in addition to having… Read »