Maximizing Annual Gifts
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Individuals with estates that are valued over the Federal estate tax exemption ($5,250,000 in 2013) should consider making annual gifts to their family now so
How Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Estate Planning?
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 The United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, declaring the definition of marriage as
Post-DOMA for Employers
With the dust just settling on Wednesday’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, and Proposition 8 federal court opinions, now is the time for employers to consider the potential impact on their
Designated Beneficiary Assets: Consider Your Income, Capital Gains & Estate Taxes
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 In the third segment of our series regarding Gift Tax & Estate Planning, we’ll examine assets that require designated beneficiaries, specifically: IRA accounts, retirement accounts, life
Using Life Insurance and Irrevocable Trusts in Estate Planning
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Continuing with Part 2 of our Gift Tax and Estate Planning blog series (we discussed Living Trusts in Part 1 of the series), we now
Why Online Legal Document Services Cause Future Problems in Estate Planning
Kira S. Masteller, of our Trusts & Estate Planning Practice Group, lists some of the many problems that may arise when using online legal services to plan for your family’s future.
A Living Trust – One of Many Tools for Protecting Your Estate
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 A living trust is not the only vehicle that individuals need to consider when completing an estate plan. There are several other types of trusts
The Tax Increases Have Begun
by Lewitt Hackman’s Trusts & Estate Planning Practice Group December 4, 2012 With the “fiscal cliff” discussions front and center, many people do not realize that certain tax increases are already being implemented, both at the
2012 Southern California Rising Stars
Super Lawyers Magazine – November 2012 David B. Bobrosky (Personal Injury) Tal Grinblat (Franchise/Dealership) Nicole Kamm (Employment & Labor) Kira S. Masteller (Estate Planning & Probate) Vanessa Soto Nellis (Family Law)
2012 Top Women Lawyers in Southern California
Los Angeles Magazine – October 2012 Sue M. Bendavid (Employment & Labor) Nicole Kamm (Employment & Labor) Kira S. Masteller (Estate Planning & Probate) Vanessa Soto Nellis (Family Law) Michelle S. Robins (Family Law) Lynn Soodik