Navigating the tax landscape during estate administration is like solving a complex puzzle with each piece representing opportunity and risk. One challenge is determining where key expenses can be deducted – on the estate tax return (Form 706) and/or the estate’s income tax return (Form 1041). Making this decision impacts the estate’s overall tax liability
As the new year approaches, we present our annual year-end advisory for 2024. This edition highlights noteworthy estate and gift tax changes and outlines planning opportunities for year-end and beyond. We also take a moment to recognize some of our accomplishments in 2024 and provide our outlook for the new year.
A quality education may be one of the best gifts to give a minor child or grandchild this holiday season. As the cost of education continues to increase annually, families may be contemplating various gifting strategies to accumulate funds, minimize taxes and ultimately support younger generations with their future security and education goals.
Two popular
What is Guardianship?
Guardianship is a legal arrangement whereby an individual is granted the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person who is deemed unable to make those decisions independently. Most commonly, this applies to minor children whose parents are deceased, but this also applies to incapacitated adults.
Guardianship law serves as
The year 2025 will bring new changes to estate and gift tax laws in the United States, with updated exemptions, rates, and regulations affecting taxpayers at both federal and state levels. As we await the 2024 general election results, it is important to stay informed about the latest updates and requirements to ensure proper planning
On the fifth episode of our speaker series, Partner Carolyn Reers explores the growing trend of high-net-worth individuals seeking residency or citizenship abroad for tax benefits and safety. She highlights popular destinations like Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia for citizenship through investment, as well as Italy, Malta, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain
Estate planning can require extra care and effort where one spouse is not a U.S. citizen. The same can be said for couples who live, work, or own property in the U.S. but neither is a U.S. citizen. These couples should be well-advised in preparing an estate plan to minimize the potential application of U.S.
In this powerhouse episode, hosts Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear step up to the plate with Thomas Archer, a certified financial planner and owner of the Thomas J. Archer Companies, to discuss the nuances of estate planning and business succession for high net-worth individuals, including professional athletes and business owners. Archer, not one to sit
In a previous Wiggin and Dana advisory, we highlighted a new “decanting” statute in Connecticut. As described in that advisory, effective January 1, 2025, Connecticut will specifically authorize “decanting” the assets of an otherwise irrevocable trust into a new trust with improved terms. The statute outlines precisely what kinds of trusts can and cannot be
Navigating estate planning amidst divorce can be complex. On the third episode of our speaker series, Partner Matt Smith emphasizes the need for adaptable and forward-thinking strategies to protect assets across varying state laws. Highlighting cases where outdated estate plans clash with the modern realities of marriage, divorce, and inheritance, Matt delves into crafting lifetime