A child’s 18th birthday is momentous. He/she can register to vote, serve on a jury, marry without parental consent, and hold assets in his/her name. At 18, your child may also apply for a credit card and decide to spend spring break in Florida with college buddies. What if something happens to him/her? As a […]

From the Estate Planning and Probate Group The legal implications of marriage are seldom appreciated or fully understood. Many newlyweds have questions and concerns about a variety of practical issues, but feel uncomfortable raising the concerns. This can increase anxiety levels, which in turn leads to challenges in the marriage. The sad reality is that […]

From the Estate Planning and Probate Group What is a Qualified Personal Residence Trust? A Qualified Personal Residence Trust (“QPRT”) is Trust which allows you to transfer your home to your named beneficiaries (usually your children) at a future date, at a substantially reduced gift tax rate. Individuals with a valuable home or second home […]

From the Estate Planning and Probate Group Outright Gifts What is the difference between unrestricted and restricted gifts to charity? An unrestricted gift is one that a donor makes to a charitable organization that the organization may use or apply to any purpose. By designating or “restricting” the use of a gift, an organization may […]

From the Estate Planning and Probate Group While many people prefer to leave an inheritance to their child or grandchild in a trust, they incorrectly assume that once a minor reaches maturity a trust is no longer needed or advantageous. On the contrary, significant benefits can be obtained by leaving the assets in trust for […]

From the Estate Planning and Probate Group Many individuals know that lifetime gifts to children and other loved ones can reduce or eliminate estate taxes otherwise due upon death. Yet many are not aware of the options to leverage their gifts to produce even greater tax savings. This FAQ will review the benefits of making gifts and […]

Irrevocable Trusts can be highly effective tools to maximize the amount of wealth that passes to your heirs. To find out more, read the FAQ.

What is an estate plan? Do I need an estate plan? What happens if I die without a will? Our attorneys cover the essentials of Estate Planning for you.

Probate is the legal process of settling the estate of someone who has passed away. Our experts detail the steps needed to handle the process.

What is community property? What is separate property? Should my will give my entire estate to my spouse? Laura Hoexter and Xan Gerson take on these tough questions.