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Despite the new and generous federal estate tax exemption of $5 million per estate and $10 million per couple, many less wealthy families still have to plan for estate taxes–state estate taxes that is. The $10 million exemption makes state death tax planning all the more important. You will pay more if you’re in a [...]
Virtually any bank or brokerage account can provide that it is paid on death (“POD”) or transferred on death (“TOD”) to named beneficiaries. And IRAs, 401Ks, pension plans and insurance policies are typically made payable to designated beneficiaries. Nevertheless, these beneficiaries are often named with relatively little reflection, and without taking into account what might [...]
Estate planning is concerned with the use, conservation and disposition of a person’s property and wealth. This involves two elements: (1) minimizing the gift or estate tax consequences that occur when a person’s property is passed to another either during life or at death; and (2) provisions for taking care of the decedent’s spouse and [...]
New Jersey and Maryland levy both types of tax.
There are many other viable estate-planning tools and techniques that should be discussed with your tax adviser, but the key is to plan ahead.
If you are the executor of a will there are many things you must do to get that will ready for probate. Probate means the process by which the deceased’s assets are gathered; outstanding debts, taxes, and expenses of the funeral and the probate process are paid; and the assets are distributed to the beneficiaries [...]
The legal process of transferring of property upon a person’s death is known as “probate.” Although probate customs and laws have changed over time, the purpose has remained much the same: people formalize their intentions as to the transfer of their property at the time of their death (typically in a will), their property is [...]
Probate is the process whereby a Will is proved to be valid by a Surrogate, who has the authority to determine the authenticity of such a document. It also involves appointing an individual for an Estate when someone dies without a Will. Probate is done when someone dies with assets in their name alone. The [...]
You should name an executor in your will. In order to decide who is best to carry out this position, you need to know what responsibilities the position has. The executor’s job is to start the probate process with the court, gather all of your assets, pay your debts, last expenses, and taxes, and distribute [...]