Once Removed Episode 19: The Step-Transaction Doctrine and the Case of Smaldino
Once Removed Episode 18: The Reciprocal Trust Doctrine
Charitable Planning With Guest Stephanie Hood: Navigating Complex Rules and Traps for the Unwary
Once Removed Episode 16: Gift and Estate Tax, Inflation Adjustments for 2024
Once Removed Episode 17: Annual Gifting to Individuals: Options, Opportunities and Pitfalls
Once Removed Episode 12: SLATs and the Case of McKim vs. McKim
Once Removed Episode 11: Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, or SLATs
Once Removed Episode 10: Trustee Removal and Case Update on Leo Kahn Revocable Trust
(A)ESOP's Fables - The Income and Estate Tax-Free ESOP
The Renoir Spelling Bee
Taking the Sting Out of Death Taxes with Dylan Metzner, Jones & Keller
RETURN TO FOREVER - What Game Shall We Play Today?
To Give or Not to Give: Considerations for Year-End Gifting
INTRODUCING MALTA SPLIT DOLLAR
THE PAPER CHASE
With a Little Help from My Friends
The Greatest Gift: Your Individual + Family Estate Plan
When purchasing an expensive engagement ring, one would not seek the expertise of a real estate agent. Similarly, when an estate requires an appraisal, it is crucial to engage the appropriate expert for high value personal...more
Washington state recently enacted some changes that may impact married couples and registered domestic partners. Under the new Spousal Personal Residence Exclusion, when a spouse/partner passes away on or after January 1,...more
A recent Tax Court order highlights the gift and estate planning opportunities afforded when a senior family member makes loans to other family members. In Galli v. Commissioner, Docket Nos. 7003-20 and 7005-20, the Court had...more
The United States is on the brink of the largest transition of wealth in its history, known as the “Great Wealth Transfer.” By 2045, an estimated $84 trillion in assets will be transferred from baby-boomers to their heirs. In...more
In the late 19th century, death was almost fashionable. Funerals were well attended and even rivaled weddings in their splendor and expense. Department stores offered an array of luxury clothing for grieving mothers and...more
On April 10, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly approved the Senate’s version of the FY 2025 budget resolution, which it passed on April 5, formally aligning both chambers on President Trump’s legislative tax agenda....more
As Congress shifts into gear on the budget reconciliation process and tax day approaches, there are several key issues for horse owners to keep in mind. In the 119th Congress, there are two proposals that have been...more
If you possess paintings, sculptures or other art pieces, they may represent a significant portion of your estate. Thus, these assets must be properly accounted for in your estate plan....more
The Administration’s tariff policies have contributed to significant volatility in the stock market. Even brief announcements regarding new tariffs often trigger immediate declines in stock prices. This volatility is largely...more
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) brought significant changes to the federal estate and gift tax laws, marking a pivotal shift in the landscape of estate planning and wealth transfer. Enacted on December 22, 2017,...more
As lawmakers advance toward the critical 2025 tax cliff, a key—and increasingly contentious—policy question is coming into sharper focus: What should Congress assume about the future when it scores the cost of extending the...more
Welcome to “Lost in Translation: Blunders in International Estate Planning.” This blog series explores the rarified world of international estate planning, uncovering potential pitfalls and providing insights to navigate the...more
The lifetime estate tax exemption amount is as high as ever. The estate tax exemption amount rose from $1,000,000 in 2002 to $5,000,000 in 2011. Then, Congress doubled the amount of the estate tax exemption in 2018. As of...more
A parent will sometimes transfer money to a child to enable the child to make an investment that the child could not otherwise make on their own. For example, the child may have identified an attractive business opportunity...more
Springtime is a great time to review your current estate plan or consider creating one. This year brings a number of opportunities for creating an estate plan, pursuing gifting strategies, and considering philanthropic...more
Betty White wasn’t just America’s beloved “Golden Girl”—she was also a passionate, lifelong advocate for animal welfare. As a longtime trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and a dedicated supporter of...more
The focus of this article illustrates why private placement life insurance (“PPLI”) is the best asset to utilize in the “Buy, Borrow and Die” strategy for high net worth investors including billionaires. After this article,...more
In our previous blog post on the 2025 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, we highlighted the concept of purpose trusts, a conference topic involving unique planning and charitable opportunities. In this second post of...more
As the clock ticks down to the end of 2025, the impending sunset of key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) looms large, threatening tax hikes for millions of Americans. With Congress at a crossroads, the...more
Remember, as a general concept, estate planning allows an individual to plan not only for what happens to his or her estate upon death, but also how his or her affairs are handled during life. There are certain documents that...more
Across all industries, family offices and their owners and management teams face rapidly evolving challenges, opportunities, and risks in the dynamic environment that is 2025. Here are six issues that family offices should...more
Starting January 1, 2026, many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) are set to expire. Among the most significant provisions set to sunset is the increased estate and gift tax exemption, which currently...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued Private Letter Ruling (PLR) 202504006, addressing several important estate and gift tax questions related to the division of a marital trust and the subsequent disclaimer of...more
Now’s the time to review your GST tax exposure Absent congressional action this year, the federal gift and estate exemption and the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption (currently $13.99 million) are scheduled...more
For many families, owning an apartment in Israel – whether as a second home or a cherished holiday retreat – is a lifelong dream. The journey from selecting the right property, navigating the purchase process, and turning a...more