Blog - "Altman Speaks"

Purchases Made with Joint Funds: What's "Ours" is "Yours"?

Like many couples, Mr. and Mrs. Connell established a joint checking account with a right of survivorship. With the exception of a $205 contribution from his wife, Mr. Connell used funds from that account to acquire a $58,350 Rolex watch. He also used money from that account to fund an upgrade from a ring worth […]

Charitable Planning Through IRA Accounts: The Right and Wrong Way to Do It

An IRA account may be subject to two different kinds of tax when its owner dies: Estate tax and income tax. First, the fair market value of the IRA account may be subject to Federal estate tax when the owner of the IRA dies. In some states, like Maryland, the IRA account may also be […]

What's in the Name? Property Titling for Same-Sex Couples Varies Among the States

The deed to your real property is often the key to your house. Not literally, but legally. A Deed transfers real property from the current owner (sometimes referred to as the “grantor” or “first party”) to the buyer (sometimes referred to as the “grantee” or “second party”). If there are 2 or more buyers, the […]

Tee Time: Shooting Under Par In the Face of Fiscal Cliff Reform

Since news broke of the legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff, our firm, just like many commentators and news outlets, has written about the impact of the new legislation. Many have maintained that the true impact of the new deal would not be realized until individuals became personally affected. Almost immediately, stories have surfaced of […]

New Year, Same Digital Asset Problem!

In the first week of 2013, The Wall Street Journal asked readers to consider the fate of their digital assets. The subject is far from new to our blog, and the issues that arise in planning for digital assets remain unchanged in this new year. Planning for digital assets is complicated by conflicting laws. Laws relating to […]

Historic Preservation, Tax Deductions and the IRS: Proceed with Caution

Things I like: Preserved historic building and landmarks, tax deductions and credits. Things I Don’t Like: Audits and litigation that could have been avoided. I really like historic preservation; I like the effects of it, i.e. walking through the preserved Gettysburg battlefield or the cobbled streets of Georgetown. I also like the law pertaining to historic preservation; it is a blend […]

Down...Set...Plan! Serious Sports-Related Injuries Are on the Rise

As the 2012-2013 College Football Season has come to a close and the 2012-2013 NFL Season is one month away from its culmination, I thought it appropriate to provide a sports theme to today’s blog. In today’s sports world, male and female athletes of all ages are bigger, faster and stronger. This has resulted in […]

Looking Back on the Fiscal Cliff: An Estate Planning Wake Up Call

In December, 2012, clients and estate planners alike were frantic with trying to complete pre-fiscal cliff planning to, among other things, lock in the 2012 Federal estate and gift tax exemption of $5.12 million. As we counted down to the New Year, there was sheer uncertainty as to the impact of the fiscal cliff on […]

Collecting on Your Collection Part Deux: Charitable Remainder Trusts

Estate planning is highly personal, but it is far from selfish. Planning provides security for loved ones and friends, and it presents incredible opportunities for charitable giving. In our blog post, "Collecting on Your Collection: What to Do with Cherished Goods", we discussed challenges inherent in distributing personal effects, especially when they are valuable. Today, we […]

Joint Filing to be Available for Maryland Same-Sex Couples in Tax Year 2013

We’ve been closely following the developing legal recognition of same-sex couples in Maryland. Yesterday, welcome news from Comptroller Peter Franchot: “[w]ith the New Year approaching I want to make sure that it is clear to everyone that same-sex couples in the State of Maryland – whether married in this state or in other states – […]

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Recent Posts

Purchases Made with Joint Funds: What's "Ours" is "Yours"?

Charitable Planning Through IRA Accounts: The Right and Wrong Way to Do It

What's in the Name? Property Titling for Same-Sex Couples Varies Among the States

Tee Time: Shooting Under Par In the Face of Fiscal Cliff Reform

New Year, Same Digital Asset Problem!

Historic Preservation, Tax Deductions and the IRS: Proceed with Caution

Down...Set...Plan! Serious Sports-Related Injuries Are on the Rise

Looking Back on the Fiscal Cliff: An Estate Planning Wake Up Call

Collecting on Your Collection Part Deux: Charitable Remainder Trusts

Joint Filing to be Available for Maryland Same-Sex Couples in Tax Year 2013

« Previous 1 … 50 51 52 53 54 … 77 Next »