Income tax reporting obligations do not cease at death. In fact, there may be multiple taxpayers required to file income tax returns after the death of an individual. For example, the decedent, the executor of the decedent’s estate and trustees of trusts created by the decedent each has income tax reporting requirements. The basics of
While historically high federal transfer tax exemptions remain in effect, the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (“SLAT”) (also sometimes referred to as a Spousal Estate Reduction Trust, or “SERT”) remains one of the most effective planning techniques for married clients.
Congratulations, you just signed your Will and your Revocable Trust. You set out clear directions on how your assets should pass at your death. Your heirs will be grateful. But there is more you can do to ease the burden of estate administration – you can fund your Revocable Trust while you are alive. Set
A directed trust is a sophisticated planning technique that divides the traditional duties of a trustee among more than one person or institution. Unlike a standard trust with multiple co-trustees, all of whom would share the same duties, a directed trust makes each “trust director” responsible for a different type of task on behalf of
Sometimes, a Trustee of an irrevocable trust needs guidance on properly administrating a trust or seeking formal approval for their actions. Historically, in Connecticut, the Probate Courts have served that function. Probate Courts provide a forum for a Trustee to raise questions or to seek formal approval of the Trustee’s actions. That could include seeking clarification
Do your children think money grows on trees? Do they understand the value of a dollar? On this week’s episode, Partner Michael Clear sits down with Tom Henske, author of It Makes Total Cents, which gives parents tools to have an honest conversation with their kids about the value of money and the importance of
Many people tend to believe that estate planning is something they can do once, and it is done. They made decisions several years ago about who should receive their assets after their death, who should serve as executor to administer their estates, and who should be the guardians for minor children. Congratulations on getting this
Life insurance can be a valuable estate planning tool for generational wealth planning, creating liquidity and time diversification. On this week’s episode, Michael Clear and special guest Sarah Moore, Director of Advisor Relations at the Coyle Company, a firm that handles estate planning and business planning matters, discuss the importance of reviewing existing life insurance
A personal residence can be an ideal asset to gift to a properly designed trust for your descendants or other beneficiaries.
The basic concept is deceptively simple: Parent establishes an irrevocable trust for the benefit of children, thereby locking in use of Parent’s lifetime gift exemption as a hedge against a reduction in the exemption
A Qualified Personal Residence Trust (“QPRT”) is a special kind of irrevocable trust that can be used to transfer your residence to your children at a significantly reduced gift tax cost.
How This Technique Works. During your lifetime, you transfer your residence to a trust and retain the right to continue to live in