RECENT POSTS
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Trust & Estate Planning Considerations
Gift Tax, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 This week was supposed to be the week Republicans passed a tax bill. It’s unclear what exactly will happen in the immediate future, or
The Tax Reform Bills: Home Ownership, Purchases & Sales
California Bar Certified Specialist in Tax Law by Michael Hackman 818.907.3279 Congressional efforts to enact tax reform are now in the home stretch. While there is no assurance that any legislation will be enacted, or
Return to Windsor: A Novel Tax Code Correction
California Bar Certified Specialist in Tax Law by Michael Hackman 818.907.3279 Here’s the next chapter in the saga known as Edith Schlain Windsor v. The United States of America. (For a quick recap, please read
Accidental Disinheritance: Update Wills, Estate Plans Annually
Gift Tax, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 So you have an estate plan? Good for you. You funded it? Even better. But have you updated it and your will in
Estate Planning NOW: Preparing for a New Government
Gift Tax, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 It’s impossible to predict what any future president will do, or what Congress will approve. But in light of comments president-elect Donald J.
Living Like a Prince, but not Dying Like One
Tax Law Certified Specialist by Michael Hackman 818.907.3279 The media seems to be concerned with two primary subjects lately, and both topics continue to trounce each other in turn on social networks for attention: 1.
Tax Planning Before Turning 70: What You Should Know About RMDs
Trusts & Estate Planning by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Tax payers aged 70 ½ or older this year must take a Required Minimum Distribution, or RMD, from their traditional IRAs (Individual Retirement Arrangements), SEP (Simplified
Trusts, Estates, Exemptions and Taxes
Trusts & Estate Planning by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 It may be hard to believe that in 2001, the estate and gift tax exemption, also known as the unified credit, was a mere $675K. In
Benefits of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust as Security for Support
by Kira S. Masteller and Anthony D. Storm Divorce or separation agreements often require one spouse to maintain life insurance as security for their support obligation. Attorneys often do not address the tax implications if
Fraudsters Rising: IRS Impersonators Flooding the Phone Lines
California Certified Specialist, Tax Law by Michael Hackman 818.907.3279 There seems to be an uptick in phone calls from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, telling potential victims they owe back taxes