News and Articles

News

• New Law Firm, Smith Worthington, LLC, Specializes in Estate Planning & Elder Law
• Local Attorney Elected President of Massachusetts Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Worcester Elder Law/Estate Planning Attorney Earns Advanced Law Degree in Taxation
• Attorney Worthington Earns Certified Elder Law Attorney Designation

Presentations

• New England State Estate Taxes

Articles

The following estate planning articles are available for your review:

August 2006

• What's Your "Financial Personality?" - August 28, 2006
• Congress' Indecision on Estate Tax is a Source of Frustration - August 28, 2006
• Learning from the Brooke Astor Situation - August 28, 2006
• Lesson from Long: Hire an Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer - August 28, 2006
• DRA Constitutionality Saga Continues - August 14, 2006
• Americans in Denial Regarding Long-Term Care Planning - August 14, 2006
• Importance of a Power of Attorney - August 14, 2006
• No Estate Tax Reform - August 14, 2006

July 2006

• Massachusetts Elder News - July 10, 2006
• Section 529 Plans Even More Attractive After New Legislation - July 10, 2006
• Trusts Poised to Become More Commonplace - July 10, 2006
• Senate Delays Vote on Estate Tax Compromise Plan - July 10, 2006

May 2006

• Many Face Forced Retirement - May 30, 2006
• How Trustworthy is Trust Creation Software? - May 30, 2006
• Boomers Have Interesting Perception of "Old Age" - May 30, 2006
• Strong Correlation Between Lung Capacity and Dementia - May 30, 2006
• House Democrats File Suit Over DRA - May 15, 2006
• Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Make a Long-Term Care Decision - May 15, 2006
• Finding Your Loved One's Assets - May 15, 2006
• US DHHS Releases Health Information Beneficial to Boomers - May 15, 2006

April 2006

• New FDIC Limit for IRAs - April 24, 2006
• Estate Planning and Business Succession: Don't Let the Tail Wag the Dog - April 24, 2006
• Appeal of Estate Tax Repeal Is No Reason to Skip Estate Planning - April 24, 2006
• State Supreme Court Reverses Circuit Court Regarding Validity of Holographic Will - April 10, 2006
• Tax Court Disallows Reduction of Grat Gift Due to Spousal Interest - April 10, 2006
• Set It and Forget It Retirement Investing - April 10, 2006
• Success Stories of Medicare Plan D Prescription Plan - April 3, 2006
• Respite Care - An Emotional Lifesaver - April 3, 2006
• Parents of Minors Should Plan for the Worst in Terms of Estate Planning - April 3, 2006
• IRS Creates Email Address for Phony Emails - April 3, 2006

March 2006

• Personal Note - March 27, 2006
• Major Medicaid Changes Enacted - March 27, 2006
• Protecting Disabled Loved Ones - March 27, 2006

January 2006

• Recap of Tax Changes for 2006 - January 30, 2006
• Trusts Based on 7520 Interest Rates are Back in the Limelight - January 30, 2006
• House Scheduled to Vote on Budget Reconciliation Bill - January 30, 2006
• AAH Joins Opposition to Budget Reconciliation Bill - January 30, 2006
• URGENT Action Needed to Stop Severe Medicaid Changes! - January 16, 2006
• Cheney Cast Affirmative Tie-Breaking Vote - January 2, 2006
• Shopping for Health Care - The Latest Trend - January 2, 2006
• Think Estate Planning is Only for the Wealthy? Think Again - January 2, 2006
• Government Entities May Have to Renege on Their Promise of Free Lifetime Health Care - January 2, 2006

December 2005

• Time is Running Out for Gifting in 2005 - December 19, 2005
• Onset of Alzheimer's Does Not Support Claim of Lack of Capacity - December 19, 2005
• House and Senate Get Down to Business - December 19, 2005
• By the Hair of Their Chinny-Chin-Chin - December 5, 2005
• IRS Launches Abusive Transaction Settlement Initiative - December 5, 2005
• CMS Acknowledges Error in Printed Copies of "Medicare & You 2006" Handbooks - December 5, 2005
• Practical Guide to End-of-Life Care - December 5, 2005

November 2005

• Circuit Appeals Court Reverses Tax Court Ruling Regarding Inclusion of Life Insurance to Determine FMV - November 21, 2005
• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise - November 21, 2005
• Bill to Slash Budget Having a Rough Go in the House - November 21, 2005
• Florida's "Groundbreaking" Changes to Medicaid Closely Observed - November 7, 2005
• IRS Launches New Tool for Private Foundations - November 7, 2005
• Take Medicare Drug Plan Tools with a Grain of Salt - November 7, 2005
• The HEET Is On - November 7, 2005

October 2005

• Prescription Drug Plan Finder Newest Tool - October 24, 2005
• Considering Long-Term Care Insurance? - October 24, 2005
• Resources Available to Assist Depressed Seniors - October 24, 2005
• Retirement: Are you Oversaving? Underspending? - October 24, 2005
• Florida Supreme Court Overrules Fourth District Court of Appeals Regarding Homestead Property in Will - October 10, 2005
• Ten Companies on Board to Offer Medicare Drug Plans - October 10, 2005
• CMS Announces 2006 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles - October 10, 2005
• New Hope for Patients with Wet Macular Degeneration - October 10, 2005

September 2005

• Katrina May Interfere with Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Spending - September 26, 2005
• Holographic Will Proves Ambiguous - September 26, 2005
• Past Law - Not Current Governs in Will Revocation - September 26, 2005
• Roth Conversion of IRA Can Make Social Security Income Taxable - September 5, 2005
• The Rich and the Richer at Odds over Estate Tax - September 5, 2005
• Regulation Tightening on Sales of Annuities to Seniors - September 5, 2005
• Vote to Repeal Estate Tax Put on Indefinite Hold - September 12, 2005
• NGA Recommendations Include Increasing "Look Back" Period for Asset Transfers - September 12, 2005
• Life Insurance Plans Must be Taxed at Full Value When Transferred to an Employee - September 12, 2005

August 2005

• Obese Live Just as Long but are More Likely to be Disabled in Old Age - August 15, 2005
• State Estate Taxes May Run Off Elderly Taxpayers - August 15, 2005
• Senate Postpones Estate Tax Vote until September - August 15, 2005
• Flowers May Hold Hidden Alzheimer's Treatment - August 15, 2005
• Court Decision Affirms Assignment of Spousal Support Rights for Purposes of Medicaid Eligibility - August 1, 2005
• Untreated Vision Loss Devastating for Alzheimer's Patients - August 1, 2005
• Estate Tax Compromise Faces Uncertainty - August 1, 2005
• "Ten Absolutes" for Alzheimer's Caregiving - August 1, 2005

July 2005

• Members Appointed to Federal Medicaid Commission - July 18, 2005
• Poll Finds Many Americans Not Ready to Give Up on Medicaid - July 18, 2005
• States Beefing Up Estate Taxes in Anticipation of Federal Reduction or Repeal - July 18, 2005
• Study Claims Estate Tax Repeal May Actually Increase Federal Revenues - July 18, 2005
• States Turning to Estate Recovery to Recoup Medicaid Costs - July 4, 2005
• Special Needs Trusts Can't Protect Social Security Disability Income from Medicaid Co-Pay - July 4, 2005
• One Step Closer to a Senate Vote on Estate Tax Repeal - July 4, 2005

June 2005

• IRS Allows Qualified Disclaimer of IRA Funds Passing into Family Trust - June 21, 2005
• Workers Over 50 Not Taking Advantage of Extra Retirement Contributions - June 21, 2005
• CRAT and CRUT Spousal Election Waiver Deadline Approaches - June 21, 2005
• Power of Attorney Does Not Constitute Nomination of Guardianship - June 6, 2005
• State Medicaid Recovery Statute Held to Violate Federal Law - June 6, 2005
• Proposed Tax Regulations on Transferring Partnership Interest for Services - June 6, 2005

May 2005

• Could United's Pension Fiasco Harm Your Retirement? - May 30, 2005
• Lipitor May Be Useful in Treating Alzheimer's Disease - May 30, 2005
• Connecticut Withdraws Medicaid Waiver - May 30, 2005
• Governors, State Lawmakers Propose Medicaid Cutbacks - May 30, 2005
• U.S. Governors Consider Medicaid Reform - May 9, 2005
• Using an IRA to Purchase Real Estate - May 9, 2005
• "Dual Eligibles" to Shift into Medicare Part D - May 9, 2005
• Audit Says IRS Frequently Gives Wrong Answers to Taxpayer Questions - May 9, 2005

April 2005

• New Website Offers Hospital Quality Data - April 25, 2005
• Oklahoma Medicaid Ruling Could Impact Other States - April 25, 2005
• Osteoporosis Drug May Protect Against Memory Loss - April 25, 2005
• House Passes Estate Tax Repeal; Fate Uncertain in Senate - April 25, 2005
• Supreme Court Rules IRAs Protected in Bankruptcy (sort of) - April 11, 2005
• FTC Warns, Beware Living Trust Scams - April 11, 2005
• Long-Distance Caregivers Face Unique Challenges - April 11, 2005

March 2005

• Schiavo Case Puts Advance Directives in Spotlight - March 28, 2005
• Review Beneficiary Designations Prior to Re-Marriage - March 28, 2005
• Long-Term Care Advocates Endorse Senate's Recent Medicaid Votes - March 28, 2005
• Governors Urge Congressional Action on Long-Term Care Coverage - March 28, 2005
• Estate Planning Vital for Parents of Disabled Children - March 14, 2005
• Federal Judge Voids Trust-Owned Life Insurance Policy - March 14, 2005
• The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning - March 14, 2005
• How Will You Pay for Long-Term Care Insurance? - March 14, 2005

February 2005

• St. John's Wort Beats Paxil in Depression Treatment Study - February 28, 2005
• Survey Finds Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies - February 28, 2005
• IRS Waives 60 Day Rule for Bank Teller's Bad Advice - February 28, 2005
• Baby Boomer's Inheritance Dispute Leads to Family Violence - February 28, 2005
• Estate Plan Can Provide for Posthumous Pet Care - February 28, 2005
• 'Inflexible' Medicaid Program Needs Major Overhaul - February 14, 2005
• National Debate Begins Over Cost of an Aging Society - February 14, 2005
• Signing Over Property to Children Can Mean Trouble - February 14, 2005
• Middle Age Risk Factors May Lead to Alzheimer's - February 14, 2005

January 2005

• Tax Law Complexity Biggest Problem for Both Taxpayers & IRS - January 31, 2005
• Common Colon Cancer Screening Test Has 95% Failure Rate - January 31, 2005
• Software Program Helps Seniors Drive Safely Longer - January 31, 2005
• Americans Underestimate Both Cost and Need for Long-Term Care - January 31, 2005
• Study Finds Many Wealthy Americans Lack Wills - January 31, 2005
• Yellow Curry Could Help Fight Alzheimer's - January 17, 2005
• Major Federal Tax Overhaul Unlikely This Year - January 17, 2005
• Congress Extends Deadline for Tsunami-Aid Donation Claims on 2004 Tax Return - January 17, 2005
• Trust a Good Option for Out-of-State Real Estate - January 17, 2005
• Hiring a Non-Medical Caregiver - January 3, 2005
• Anger, Negative Emotions May Trigger Stroke - January 3, 2005
• Odor Test Predicts Alzheimer's - January 3, 2005
• Estate Can't Claim Income Tax Discount on Retirement Accounts - January 3, 2005

December 2004

• Planning for the Holidays With an Alzheimer's Patient - December 20, 2004
• Court Rules Man's Right to Die Prevails over Wife's Wishes - December 20, 2004
• Investigation Finds Medicare Help Line Gives Wrong Answers - December 20, 2004
• Testator with Dementia Had Capacity to Sign Will - December 20, 2004
• Rules on Donating Vehicles Set to Change - December 20, 2004
• American Jobs Creation Act Carries Tax Implications - December 6, 2004
• Remarriage Could Affect Social Security Benefits - December 6, 2004
• Both Retirees and Workers Worry About 'Golden' Years - December 6, 2004
• Americans Concerned About Brain Health - December 6, 2004

November 2004

• Medicaid Claim Against Deceased Spouse Prevents Lifetime Transfer by Surviving Spouse - November 22, 2004
• Giving Thanks Offers Health Benefits - November 22, 2004
• Buying a Long Term Care Policy - November 22, 2004
• Lawsuit Targets Perpetrators of Living Trust Sales Scam - November 22, 2004
• Keep Your Home in the Family With a QPRT - November 8, 2004
• Scientists Say Pill May Someday Block Alzheimer's - November 8, 2004
• Drug Reduces Fractures in Elderly Women - November 8, 2004
• Cost of Assisted Living Continues to Rise - November 8, 2004

October 2004

• Handgrip Exercises May Lower Blood Pressure - October 25, 2004
• Blood Pressure Drug May Slow Alzheimer's - October 25, 2004
• Bequests to Out-of-Wedlock Son Lapsed Upon His Death - October 25, 2004
• Is Your Estate Plan at Risk? - October 25, 2004
• Gaining Leverage with Life Insurance - October 11, 2004
• Divorce Disqualifies Stepdaughters as Residuary Beneficiaries Under Will - October 11, 2004
• Walking Regularly Might Protect Against Alzheimer's - October 11, 2004
• Hostility Bad for the Heart - October 11, 2004

September 2004

• Attorney Worthington Earns Certified Elder Law Attorney Designation - September 27, 2004
• Financial Planning Company Must Pay Damages for Bad Estate Planning Advice - September 27, 2004
• 3^rd Circuit Affirms Tax Court in Thompson: Full Value of FLP Underlying Assets Included in Estate - September 13, 2004
• 2005 Medicare Adjustments - September 13, 2004
• Eating More Salmon Could Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - September 13, 2004

August 2004

• Gift Taxes Properly Excluded from Estate When Gift Occurred Exactly Three Years Before Date of Death - August 30, 2004
• Will's "Personal Property" Includes Cash, but Not Invested Money - August 30, 2004
• South Carolina Medicaid Cannot Intercept Insurance Proceeds as Reimbursement - August 30, 2004
• Additional Performance of Foothills' Annie Scheduled - August 16, 2004
• IRS Ruling on Payment of Income Tax by Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts - August 16, 2004
• Give Your Heirs an Estate Map - August 16, 2004
• Estate Planning with the Marital Deduction - August 16, 2004
• Elder Law Attorney to perform in Worcester Foothills Theatre production of Annie - August 2, 2004
• Expanded Medicaid Estate Recovery is Repealed - August 2, 2004
• Other Mass Legislative Developments - August 2, 2004

July 2004

• U.S. District Court Upholds Spousal Refusal for Medicaid - July 19, 2004
• IRS Finalizes RMD Rules for Annuities & Defined Benefit Plans - July 19, 2004
• Medicaid Can Take Husband's Remainder Interest in Home to Reimburse for Wife's Care - July 19, 2004

June 2004

• Governor Vetoes Repeal of Last Year's Harsh Medicaid Changes; Your Voice Needed! - June 28, 2004
• What is a Mill Trust? - June 28, 2004
• Conservation Easement Requirements - June 28, 2004
• 5^th Circuit Rules in Kimbell: Transfers to Partnership Not Recaptured Under § 2036 - June 7, 2004
• Bequests: Specific vs. General - June 7, 2004

May 2004

• Massachusetts Senate Votes to Permanently Repeal Medicaid Expanded Estate Recovery - May 24, 2004
• Disinheriting an Heir: Protect Your Will in Advance - May 24, 2004
• Bank Held Liable for Employees' Undue Influence - May 24, 2004
• Massachusetts House Votes to Permanently Repeal Medicaid Expanded Estate Recovery - May 11, 2004
• Estate & Trust Distributions Excluded from Private Foundations' Investment Income - May 11, 2004
• Inter Vivos Gifts Cancel Will's Charitable Bequest - May 11, 2004
• Midlife Obesity Linked to Alzheimer's in Old Age - May 11, 2004

April 2004

• Business Succession Planning for Married Couples - April 26, 2004
• Massachusetts Legislature Working on Changing or Repealing Medicaid Tightening of 2003 - April 26, 2004
• IRS: Promissory Notes Not Qualified Family-Owned Business Interests - April 12, 2004
• Retiring in the Red - April 12, 2004
• Religion Seen as Beneficial to Older Adults - April 12, 2004
• HHS Approves Medicare Drug Discount Cards - April 12, 2004

March 2004

• Attorney Worthington Earns Advanced Law Degree in Tax - March 29, 2004
• Massachusetts Legislature Delays Medicaid Expanded Estate Recovery for One Year! - March 29, 2004
• Seniors Confused about Medicare Drug Law - March 22, 2004
• The Multi-State Estate - March 22, 2004
• Long-term Estrogen Use Linked to Stroke, Dementia - March 22, 2004
• Vitamin B-12 Helps Prevent Bone Loss - March 22, 2004
• Advantages to Hiring a Geriatric Care Manager - March 22, 2004
• 3^rd Circuit Affirms that CSATs Are Countable Assets - March 1, 2004
• IRS Cracks Down on Abusive 412(i) Plans - March 1, 2004
• Treasury Department Gives Taxpayers Advance Access to Technical Corrections on Dividends - March 1, 2004
• Vitamin D Can Help Prevent Falls in Elderly - March 1, 2004

February 2004

• Missing Out on Benefits? - February 16, 2004
• The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments - February 16, 2004
• Plan Participant's Death Ends Tax Lien on Benefits - February 16, 2004
• 2003 Expected to Mark First Slowdown in Healthcare Cost Growth in 6 Years - February 16, 2004
• IRS Waives 60-Day Rollover Period for Spouse Who Relied on Bad Advice - February 16, 2004
• Vitamin D Supplements Lower MS Risk - February 16, 2004
• SSA Proposes Changes to SSI Income Rules - February 2, 2004
• Nursing Home "Key Money" Requirements Not Allowed for Medicare/Medicaid Residents - February 2, 2004
• FDIC Changes Insurance Rules for Living Trusts - February 2, 2004
• Weighlifting Good for Elderly - February 2, 2004
• CMS Website Enhances Nursing Home Quality Tracking Tool - February 2, 2004

January 2004

• Massachusetts Legislature May Vote to Override Governor's Veto This Week! - January 20, 2004
• State Legislatures Call for Greater Flexibility in Medicaid Reform - January 20, 2004
• President Pushes for Permanent Tax Cuts - January 20, 2004

December 2003

• Disinherited Heirs' Potential Intestacy Claim Refused - December 22, 2003
• Attorney Negligent for not Advising Client of Right to Disclaim Inherited Assets - December 22, 2003
• Posthumous Subdivision of IRA Allowed - December 22, 2003
• IRS Unveils E-Services - December 22, 2003
• Report Details a Bleak Outlook for Tomorrow's Retirees - December 22, 2003
• Romney Vetoes Delay of Expanded Massachusetts Medicaid Estate Recovery - December 8, 2003
• Collecting on Nursing Home Personal Guarantee Violated Debt Act - December 8, 2003
• Too Much Choice in 401(k) Plans? - December 8, 2003

November 2003

• Legislature Votes to Postpone Expanded Massachusetts Medicaid Estate Recovery - November 24, 2003
• Average Nursing Home Cost - November 24, 2003
• Premature Death of a Spouse Can Have Long-term Financial Impact - November 24, 2003
• IRS Acquiesces to Tax Court's Decision in Walton - November 10, 2003
• Denial of Widow's Disability Benefits Reversed - November 10, 2003
• Widow Assessed Full Medicaid Penalty Period - November 10, 2003

October 2003

• Prenuptial Agreement Voided After Husband's Death - October 27, 2003
• IRS Expands Fax Guidelines - October 27, 2003
• Charitable Deductions & Annual Exclusions Disallowed for Transfers to Trust - October 27, 2003

September 2003

• Trust Disqualifies Medicaid Applicant by Allowing Limited Distributions for Care - September 16, 2003
• Departure from Annuity Tables Is Appropriate in Valuing Lottery Winnings - September 16, 2003
• "Distinct Part" May Spell Trouble for Nursing Homes - September 16, 2003

March 2003

• Common Pain Pills May Dissolve Alzheimer's Lesions - March 17, 2003
• Romney Proposes Dramatic Changes to Medicaid for Elderly - March 17, 2003
• State Law Does Not Override Federal Law in Determining Gift Completion for Federal Tax Purposes - March 3, 2002
• Father's Conveyance of Home was Not Completed Gift - March 3, 2002
• Watch Out for "Too Good to be True" Trusts - March 3, 2002

February 2003

• Power to Remove General Partner Causes Inclusion of Partnership Assets in Estate - February 17, 2003
• What is an Ethical Will? - February 17, 2003
• Administration to propose massive change to Medicaid - February 17, 2003
• 9th Circuit: IRS Perpetrated "Fraud on the Court" - February 3, 2003
• Evidence of Undue Influence Invalidates Will - February 3, 2003
• Congress Facing a Glut of Estate Tax Bill - February 3, 2003
• IRS Unveils Free Online Income Tax Filing - February 3, 2003
• New Site for Submitting Comments on Regulations - February 3, 2003

January 2003

• We've Moved! - January 20, 2003
• New Massachusetts Estate Tax - January 20, 2003

December 2002

• Advance Reimbursements of Medical Expenses Not Excludable from Income - December 30, 2002
• Accelerating Death Benefits with Viatical Settlements - December 30, 2002
• CMS Approves Massachusetts Health Care Program for Frail Elderly - December 30, 2002
• Attorney's License Suspended for Failing to Draft SNT - December 9, 2002
• Nursing Home Stuck with the Bill After Misinforming Patient About Medicare - December 9, 2002
• IRS Must Follow Its Own Rulings - December 9, 2002
• Report Card Issued on End-of-Life Care in the States and DC - December 9, 2002

November 2002

• Meet the MAET - November 18, 2002
• An Introduction to Estate Planning for Families with Disabled Children - November 18, 2002
• 2003 Estate Tax Adjustments - November 18, 2002
• 2003 Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Figures - November 18, 2002

October 2002

• Record-Low 7520 Rates Offer Estate Planning Opportunities - October 14, 2002
• Full Value of FLP Underlying Assets Included in Estate - October 14, 2002
• Report: Nursing Homes Doing Just Fine Despite Medicaid - October 14, 2002
• New Social Security Card Site - October 14, 2002

September 2002

• Abusive Trust Promoter Permanently Enjoined - September 2, 2002
• Bank May Use Social Security/SSI Deposits to Repay Overdrafts & Fees - September 2, 2002
• Treasury/IRS Cracking Down on Inappropriate Split-Dollar Arrangements - September 2, 2002
• Grandpa Rules from the Grave - September 2, 2002

August 2002

• Transfer to "Interested Amanuensis" Was Valid - August 19, 2002
• Foundation May Own Life Policy on Donor - August 19, 2002
• The Revocable Living Trust - August 19, 2002

June 2002

• Abusive Trust Scheme Dies in Tax Court - June 10, 2002
• Techniques for Protecting Donor Intent - June 10, 2002
• Life Support Withdrawn with No Advance Medical Directive - June 10, 2002

May 2002

• Will, Living Will, Living Trust? What's the Difference - May 27, 2002
• IRS Issues Guidance on CRUTs - May 27, 2002
• Value of FLP Underlying Assets Included in Decedent's Estate - May 27, 2002
• Protect Social Security Benefits by Keeping Them Separate - May 27, 2002
• House Bill Would Scrap Estate Tax Repeal for Medicare Drug Benefit - May 13, 2002
• Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes - May 13, 2002
• 4^th Circuit Upholds Medicaid Estate Recovery Requirement - May 13, 2002
• IRS Warns of Identity Theft Scheme - May 13, 2002

April 2002

• No Inheritance in Georgia for "Children" Legally Recognized in New York - April 29, 2002
• Final RMD Rules Mean Opportunity for Taxpayers - April 29, 2002
• House Sends Sunset Repeal to War in Senate - April 29, 2002
• Justice Department to Crack Down on Abusive Trusts - April 29, 2002
• Tax Court Disallows Annual Exclusions for LLC Membership Units - April 15, 2002
• Poor Education Does Not Reduce Estate Tax Liability - April 15, 2002
• Trust that Terminates on Denial of Benefits Is Still an Available Resource - April 15, 2002

March 2002

• 8th Circuit Affirms: Reciprocal Transfers Were Indirect Gifts - March 18, 2002
• No "Equitable Adoption" without Evidence of Intent - March 18, 2002
• Post-Death Transfer of Assets from Plan to IRA Not a Tax-Free Rollover - March 18, 2002

February 2002

• Bush Budget Includes Permanent Estate Tax Repeal - February 18, 2002
• Who Should Be My Executor? - February 18, 2002
• Writen Instruction to Cancel Promissory Notes on Death Ineffective - February 18, 2002
• Debtor Imprisoned in Offshore Trust Case - February 18, 2002
• States Joining Front Lines in Enron Class Action - February 4, 2002
• Post-Death Domestic Relations Order is Qualified for ERISA Purposes - February 4, 2002
• Don't Let a Wallet Thief Steal Your Credit Too? - February 4, 2002
• Court Holds Attorney Liable for Fees and Costs of Frivolous Lawsuit - February 4, 2002

January 2002

• IRS Announces Numbers for Pensions in 2002 - January 7, 2002
• The Buy-Sell Agreement: Helping Your Small Business Survive - January 7, 2002
• What is a Bypass Trust? - January 7, 2002

December 2001

• Grandparent Caretakers Entitled to Same Income Exclusion as Parents - December 24, 2001
• Executor May Elect Innocent Spouse Relief for Decedent - December 24, 2001
• Annual Exclusion up to $11,000 in 2002 - December 24, 2001
• Four Common Estate Planning Mistakes - December 24, 2001
• Nursing Home Negligent for Letting Resident Smoke (Literally) - December 10, 2001
• DOJ Argues Government's Case Against Strangi FLP - December 10, 2001

November 2001

• Conveyances Were Not Fraudulent. Case Dismissed. - November 26, 2001
• IRS Says Family Corporation Should Be Disregarded for Tax Purpose - November 26, 2001
• "Irrevocable" Need Not Be "Inflexible" - November 26, 2001
• How Does an Offshore Asset Protection Trust Work? - November 12, 2001
• Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly - November 12, 2001
• Lost Will Revokes Prior Wills - November 12, 2001

October 2001

• Trust's Provisions, State Law Dictate Trust's Domicile - October 29, 2001
• 2002 Medicare and Social Security Adjustments - October 29, 2001
• IRS Acquiesces in '98 Ruling - October 29, 2001
• Decedent's Intent Lost by Cookie-Cutter Will - October 29, 2001
• Capitol Spotlight - October 15, 2001
• Tax Court Applies 40% Discounts to Gifts of FLP Interests - October 15, 2001
• Tax Court Applies 60% Fractionalization Discount to Interests in Land Held by Family Trust - October 15, 2001
• The Internet Legal Gateway - October 1, 2001
• Young and Wealthy - October 1, 2001
• Tax Relief Measures on the Way for Victims of Terrorism - October 1, 2001
• Implied Agreement Makes Residence Includable in Gross Estate - October 1, 2001

September 2001

• GE Center for Financial Learning - September 17, 2001
• Trust Is Available Resource: Medicaid Benefits Denied - September 17, 2001
• Home Equity Conversions Provide Income for Equity - September 17, 2001
• Medicaid Shortfall Growing - September 17, 2001
• The Resource Directory for Older People - September 3, 2001
• How Does a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust Work? - September 3, 2001
• Medicaid/Medicare Spending Rising Drastically in 2001 - September 3, 2001
• Are You a Donor Without a Cause? - September 3, 2001
• Estate Pays for Filing Return 10 Years Late - September 3, 2001

August 2001

• Bequests to Disabled Children Should Be in Special Trusts - August 20, 2001
• House Bill Would Accelerate Estate Tax Repeal - August 20, 2001
• Tax Court: Attorney-in-fact's Gifts Were Revocable Transfers - August 20, 2001
• Multidisciplinary Practice Rules Adopted in New York - August 20, 2001
• HHS Announces New Micro-Grants - August 6, 2001
• Medicare to Cover Treatment for Sun-induced Skin Lesions - August 6, 2001
• Doctors Group Sues HHS Over Patient Privacy Regs - August 6, 2001
• Final Regs Issued on Automatic Extension of Time to File Estate Tax Return - August 6, 2001
• Will my IRA be disqualified if it invests in my FLP to receive valuation discounts? - August 6, 2001

July 2001

• Attention Tax Professionals: PPC Keeps You Up-to date - July 23, 2001
• ERISA Pre-empts State Statute Revoking Ex-spouse as Beneficiary - July 23, 2001
• Beware of Mill Trust! - July 23, 2001
• Trust Reformation Corrects Scrivener's Errors Without Resulting in Taxable Gifts - July 9, 2001
• The ILIT: Especially Useful for Singles - July 9, 2001
• The Death Tax: Still Kicking after "Repeal" - July 9, 2001

June 2001

• QTIP Elections Void when They Have No Effect on Estate Tax Liability - June 25, 2001
• Self-Canceling Installment Note Not Full and Adequate Consideration - June 25, 2001
• Watch Out for the Reciprocal Gift Trap! - June 25, 2001
• Senior Facts & Figures - June 11, 2001
• Federal Circuit: Unauthorized Gifts Included in Gross Estate - June 11, 2001
• Executor Cannot Elect §6015 Relief - June 11, 2001
• Committee Considering Simplifying Retirement Plan Distribution Rules - June 11, 2001
• House Passes Retirement Act - June 11, 2001
• Estate Must Pay Taxes Due Before Suing for Redetermination - June 11, 2001
• Bush to Sign Tax Cut Bill - June 6, 2001

May 2001

• HCFA to Increase Nursing Home Payments by 2.1% in 2002 - May 28, 2001
• Bush Administration Plans to Accelerate Tax Cuts - May 28, 2001
• Ninth Circuit Reverses Two Tax Court Rulings - May 28, 2001

April 2001

• Find PLRs Online - April 30, 2001
• What Should be Included in an Estate Map? - April 30, 2001
• Relation-Back Doctrine Does Not Apply, Checks Must be Included in Gross Estate - April 30, 2001
• Revocable Living Trust Taxpayer ID Numbers - April 30, 2001
• Adoption Revokes Grandchild's Right to Intestate Inheritance - April16, 2001
• Opponents of H.R. 8 Speak Out - April16, 2001
• House Passes Estate & Gift Tax Repeal - April16, 2001
• 9^th Circuit Reverses Tax Court Ruling in Kaufman - April 4, 2001
• White House Clarifies Estate Tax Repeal Details - April 4, 2001
• Qualified Plan Participants Can Use New RMD Rules - April 4, 2001

March 2001

• Transfers to Family Limited Partnerships Were not Taxable Gifts - March 19, 2001
• AoA and HCFA Enhance Medicare Information & Referral System - March 19, 2001
• Experts Say Estate Tax Repeal Likely - March 19, 2001
• LOTTO Prize is an Annuity and Must be Valued with Actuarial Tables - March 19, 2001
• Personal Representative Ordered to Repay $40,000 in Administrative Fees - March 19, 2001
• 2001 Tax Hints - March 5, 2001
• IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Revising Definition of "Income" for Trusts - March 5, 2001
• Watch Out for Tax Scams! - March 5, 2001
• Estate Tax Repeal Losing Steam? - March 5, 2001

February 2001

• What is a Dynasty Trust? - February 19, 2001
• Five Things Everybody Should Do Before They Die - February 19, 2001
• Tax Court Allows 40% Discount for Gifts of Stock - February 19, 2001
• IRS Corrects Proposed Regulations for MRDs - February 15, 2001
• States Stand to Lose when the Death Tax Dies - February 14, 2001
• Planning in the Face of Death Tax Repeal - February 14, 2001
• What is an Ethical Will? - February 14, 2001
• IRS Issues Guidance on Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements - February 14, 2001
• Gifts to Brother's Family Were Reciprocal Gifts - February 14, 2001
• Taxing Matters - February 14, 2001
• Pay Income Taxes Online at Officialpayments.com - February 14, 2001
• Estate Planning with LSD? - February 14, 2001
• Tax Court Throws Out 25.2702-3(e), Example 5 - February 14, 2001
• Estate Planning for Parents of Disabled Children - February 14, 2001

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