As we’ve discussed elsewhere, in an almost knee jerk way, people want to avoid probate. And for some good reasons. But what if I told you there were a possibility your heirs might have to go through two or even three probates? It’s true. If you own titled property, especially real estate, in another state […]
Everybody wants to avoid probate, but far too many of those who want to avoid it, know what is. Here’s a primer: Probate is the legal process in which a deceased person’s will is proved valid; her personal representative or executor appointed; her property collected and preserved; and her debts, including taxes, paid. Usually, the […]
Two weeks ago, the Treasury Department released proposed IRS Code Section 2704 valuation regulations that, as proposed, will dramatically change the discounts currently allowed, including so-called minority and marketability discounts. Thus, gift and estate tax planning strategies that rely on such discounts to transfer property from one individual to another via the use of limited […]