Blog - "Altman Speaks"

Death of a Loved One

Losing a loved one is hard enough without the added stress of settling an estate. Don't take any action without calling us first. We'll guide you through the legal process, ensuring that things are handled the right way." Read more about losing of a loved one.

Update on Estate Tax: Senate Fails to Get it Done in 2009

As we have been following, the federal estate tax is set to disappear in 2010. The push by Democrats to extend the current rate permanently failed to pass a short- term extension to override the tax’s expiration date last week. Currently the top rate is 45%, with a $3.5 million exclusion rate. Per the 2001 […]

Gary Altman Set to Share His Expertise with Two Howard County Publications in Early 2010

Award-winning estate planning attorney, Gary Altman, will once again lend his expertise to the Howard County, Maryland publications, Generations, and also Business Monthly. Altman’s article contributions will offer a succinct look at two different estate planning topics. With an office in Columbia, Maryland, Altman feels these publications are close to home for many of his […]

Congress Finally Passes an Estate Tax Bill!

Serves me right, I go on a wonderful 10 day vacation from work and look what happens: Congress finally passes an estate tax bill. The full story is that the House has passed a bill that would permanently FREEZE the applicable exclusion amount (i.e., the amount that passes free of Federal estate tax) to 3.5 million […]

Q&A: Who is Responsible for Debts After Someone Dies?

A reporter recently asked me the question: “Who is Responsible for Debts After Someone Dies?” After someone passes, family members typically have no obligation to pay the debts of the decedent from their sole and individual funds. Debts of the decedent must be paid by the decedent’s probate estate or otherwise by assets passing from the […]

FYI: Two IRA Tax Breaks Will End Soon

A colleague of mine sent me the below info on two tax provisions which are scheduled to expire after December 31, 2009. Here’s how they might impact you: 1. For 2009 only, you have the option of skipping your required minimum distribution (RMD) from traditional IRAs and certain other qualified pension plans. This suspension of the […]

Congress Has Been Silent on Estate Tax Reform

I have written previous blogs on this topic in an effort to plan and keep my clients informed of the possibilities for the future. As we rapidly move forward to the end of the year, I thought that by now, we would have seen some discussion in congress on the estate tax law and possibly […]

Jointly Held Accounts: A Cautionary Tale

When someone dies, his executor or personal representative is responsible for preparing the decedent’s final income tax return and the decededent’s estate is liable for all income tax due. If the executor distributes the estate without payment of the income taxes, the IRS could hold the executor personally liable for the unpaid income taxes. In […]

Gary Altman Sheds Light on "Debt After Death" - Who's Responsible

In response to an inquiry from La Opinion – the leading Spanish-language daily in the U.S. – estate planning attorney, Gary Altman, offers insight as to who is responsible for debts after someone dies. “After someone passes, family members typically have no obligation to pay the debts of the decedent from their sole and individual […]

"Estate Affairs" – Gary Altman Offers Expert Advice to Making Sure Family Heirlooms End Up in the Right Hands

Emotions run high when it comes to dividing up family heirlooms. In an interview with Family Tree magazine, estate planning attorney, Gary Altman, offers sound advice on how to best ensure that your possessions end up where you want them. Not surprisingly, Altman’s first recommendation is to have a will. He says, “[Absent a will] […]

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Recent Posts

Death of a Loved One

Update on Estate Tax: Senate Fails to Get it Done in 2009

Gary Altman Set to Share His Expertise with Two Howard County Publications in Early 2010

Congress Finally Passes an Estate Tax Bill!

Q&A: Who is Responsible for Debts After Someone Dies?

FYI: Two IRA Tax Breaks Will End Soon

Congress Has Been Silent on Estate Tax Reform

Jointly Held Accounts: A Cautionary Tale

Gary Altman Sheds Light on "Debt After Death" - Who's Responsible

"Estate Affairs" – Gary Altman Offers Expert Advice to Making Sure Family Heirlooms End Up in the Right Hands

« Previous 1 … 70 71 72 73 74 … 79 Next »