Professional basketball team owner Donald Sterling’s has reportedly been declared Mentally Incompetent under the terms of his Trust with his wife according to Sports Illustrated. Apparently under the terms of Donald Sterling’s Trust he can be declared an incompetent adult by two physicians, which apparently has been done, placing his wife in control under their... [Read More]
Category: Elder Law
James Brown’s Estate Planning Blues
As a movie about James Brown, “the Godfather of Soul”, hits cinemas we remember the disastrous Estate Planning he left behind. James Brown’s Will attempted to create a Trust under a Will for education of poor children for the bulk of his assets, also for education for his grandchildren, some personal items to his adult... [Read More]
Mickey Rooney’s Estate Fight
Five days after the 93 year old actor died the family headed to Court to fight over where his body should be buried. The drama is not surprising as Mickey Rooney was previously a victim of elder abuse at the hands of his adult step son and wife who exploited millions of dollars from him. He... [Read More]
Steve Teaches Class
Attorney Steven Andrew Jackson will teach a Continuing Education Class to professionals titled “Can You Trust Your Trust?” on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. The class will show where hidden bombs are in Estate Plans that clients are unaware of that may cause unnecessary expense and loss of control to the client and... [Read More]
The Hand of Tax
A good way to help explain an overview of taxes is to look at the five fingers of your hand. There is an “Income Tax” when you earn the money. There is a “Sales Tax” when you purchase an item. There is a “Property Tax” when you purchase some things and hold it. There is... [Read More]
It’s the People, not the Stuff
Love people and use things. Not the other way around. Our relationships are the high points of our lives. That may include our faith relationship. Those relationships are the most precious gifts that we receive. Our sweetest memories we have maybe of our children’s laughter, our friend’s understanding or looking into the eyes of someone who... [Read More]
The Tax Man Cometh
Again this President seeks to penalize those who have been successful financially. The new proposal from the White House seeks to limit annual gifting to $50,000.00 dollars total per year. Instead of limiting it per individual they’re seeking to limit it to a total of $50,000.00 dollars in the year beginning in 2015. That may... [Read More]
Snow Storms, Canceled Flights and Life
Recent storms on and around Valentine’s Day grounded thousands of airplane flights and changed even more automobile traveler’s plans. We may plan to take action at a certain time, but events out of our control often preclude us from taking that action. I had airline travel plans but was precluded from taking the trip as... [Read More]
Shirley Temple and Phillip Seymour Hoffman Go Home
We’ve recently seen the passing of Shirley Temple Black the iconic child actress and later Ambassador and the Oscar winning Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Ms. Temple Black passed away at age 85. Actor Hoffman left at the early age of 47. One passed on after a long full life, the other unexpectedly by accidental drug... [Read More]
Portability Remains in Estate Planning
“Portability” is a concept that the IRS allows wherein by filing an Estate Tax Return or IRS Form 706, one may preserve the unused Federal Estate Tax Credit of the first spouse who passes on. The Estate Tax is due when the second Spouse passes on. Each spouse has a Unified Credit amount allowed by... [Read More]