Blog - "Altman Speaks"

Estate Planning: A Product or a Process?

I am often reminded that too many attorneys treat estate planning as a product and not a process. They present clients with a cookie-cutter estate plan that comes in a fancy binder and includes dozens of pages of legal jargon, none of which is probably even read or understood. Furthermore, there is little or no […]

Elder Care Checklist: A Must Have for All Adults

The importance of Elder Care Planning cannot be overstated. Many individuals and families are unprepared for issues that arise with older parents - or even themselves. Click the link below for a brief checklist of records that you should have readily available for both yourself and your parents. Elder Care Check List PDF

Learning the Hard Way: "Nothing is More Expensive Than a Cheap Lawyer"

I like a good bargain as much as the next guy, but there are times when going the cheap route ends up costing a lot more in the long run. I've written plenty over the years about cases where we have been hired to clean up other attorney and/or advisors' messes. (It's no secret that […]

DC Elder Abuse Legislation Sheds Light on America's Dirty Little Secret

Elder mistreatment (i.e. abuse and neglect) is defined as intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder. This includes failure by a caregiver to satisfy the […]

The Will of James Gandolfini: Bad Tax Planning or Good Listening?

There are a host of articles and commentators stating that James Gandolfini’s heirs will be upset because his estate will pay approximately $30,000,000 in Federal and state estate taxes. These same articles say that he could have (and should have) done some advanced planning to reduce the tax bite. Some even suggest that James Gandolfini’s […]

Altman Offices Closed July 4th and 5th

In celebration of the 4th of July and in honor of the many men and women serving our country to defend and protect our independence, our offices will be closed on July 4th and July 5th. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 8th. Have a very happy and safe holiday. Cheers, The […]

Estate Planning: The Drafting Process

When a client hires an attorney to work with the client on the preparation and implementation of their estate plan, one question that is rarely asked is: “How does the attorney draft the documents?” The follow up questions then become: Does the attorney create his or her own forms, thereby drafting each client’s documents individually […]

The DOMA Ruling and Estate Planning

As an estate planning attorney, my job is to ensure that my client’s estate planning documents reflect their wishes, preserve as much wealth as possible and remain in accordance with the law. Creating that delicate balance for same-sex couples has always required more complicated decisions and strategies, including whether or not to be legally married […]

"A Real Life Story of Death and Taxes" by Gary Altman

In November 2008, I was hired to become the special tax counsel to two intertwined estates, trusts, and guardianships. My client became the Executor of the Estate of a Husband, his Wife, and the Wife’s Parents, upon the death of the husband in March 2008. When I became involved, I was informed that the Estates […]

Better Late Than Never - A New Wrinkle to Portability!

It seems that on a daily basis, news breaks regarding the concept of portability. Today’s news is that the IRS has announced that consideration will be given to taxpayers filing for 9100 relief in order to make a portability election of Federal Estate Tax Returns falling under the tax filing threshold. What does this mean? […]

« Previous 1 … 41 42 43 44 45 … 66 Next »

Subscribe

Receive our new blog articles in your email inbox.

Name*
First Last
Email*
CAPTCHA
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Recent Posts

Princess Diana’s Estate Was Not Distributed According to Plan

A Tribute to Lauren Bacall

Feel Good Friday: My Experience Volunteering with Homestretch

Feel Good Friday: The Legacy of Joan Rivers

Thank you, Maggie!

Feel Good Friday: "It's OK to Be Lazy"

“My Health Care Wishes” App: Accessing Important Documents Just Got Easier!

Special Needs Trusts: The Importance of a Proper Trustee

Important Law Changes for those with Offshore Financial Assets

Coming Soon: Uniform Legislation re: Digital Assets

« Previous 1 … 41 42 43 44 45 … 77 Next »