What Is the Purpose of a Pet Trust?

Many well-off pet owners have left millions of dollars to their cats, dogs and even chickens—perhaps most notoriously Leona Helmsley, who left US$12 million when she died in 2007 to her white Maltese dog Trouble.
What are the Tax Brackets for Next Year?

People pay many different kinds of taxes. You file an income tax return every spring, pay sales taxes when you buy things and pay property taxes if you own a home. These taxes apply to nearly everyone.
It Is Important to Update Your Estate Plan

Will there be changes in your circumstances or your family that should lead to a review of your plan? Could some events cause you to need to revise or update the plan?
How Did Olivia Newton-John Plan Her Estate?

Olivia Newton-John would have celebrated her 74th birthday on September 26. The Cambridge-born star earned millions for her efforts in music and entertainment, and a staggering final act of charity saw Newton-John’s family splitting their inheritance with her charities.
Are You Ready for 2026?

Because once 2026 arrives, many of the tax adjustments that were part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are expected to expire.
IRS Announces New Lifetime and Gift Tax Exemptions

The Internal Revenue Service Today announced new inflation-adjusted limits for 2023 that will allow well-off individuals to transfer much more to their heirs tax free during life—or at death.
Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against Stan Lee’s Business Manager Settled

A lawyer for Jerry Olivarez said certain people not named in the lawsuit ‘exerted undue influence on the Lee family’ to wrongfully accuse him.
What Jackie Kennedy Knew about CLATs and Estate Planning

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis will long be known for many superlative distinctions: an internationally beloved former first lady of the United States, one of the most influential contributors to the restoration and preservation of the White House and a peerless cultural icon.
Are There Less Restrictive Alternatives to Guardianship

Although laws vary from state to state, every state requires that less restrictive alternatives be considered before invoking a guardianship. These might include such vehicles as limited guardianships, powers of attorney or assisted decision-making agreements.
Can You Gift Money on Your Deathbed?

One sure-fire way your clients can reduce the size of their taxable estate is to give gifts to loved ones while they’re still alive. But when are ‘deathbed gifts’ considered to be complete for estate and gift tax purposes?