Under the Healthcare Privacy Laws, commonly known as HIPPA, medical providers are very limited in what information they may give out regarding a patient. If you do not have a Healthcare Power that includes HIPPA language, or a Healthcare Designation specific as to the HIPPA Laws, you may not get access to information regarding your... [Read More]
Category: Taxes
What About Mental Disability?
It seems that mental incapacity is on the rise among seniors. The Gerontologist tell us that Alzheimer’s Disease is on the rise. Part of that may be that we are living longer and part of that may be environmental. We should Estate Plan for Mental Disability as we may be unfortunate enough that we get... [Read More]
“Accounting Today” 10 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes
Accounting today listed as the 10 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes the following: 1. Procrastination. Failing to do any Estate Planning thinking there is always “tomorrow.” Maybe not! 2. Do it yourself mentality. Thinking you can perform complicated legal work with online forms which doom you to failure. 3. Failing to think of all the angles... [Read More]
Boston Bombers and the Unknown
Those injured at the finish line of The Boston Marathon last week never anticipated that two bombs would explode killing three and injuring and maiming another 200 people. A physician from Sylva, North Carolina, just west of Asheville, was at the finish line with his wife cheering on a friend. After the explosions, the first... [Read More]
The Cuban Missile Crisis and North Korea
We were closer to the nuclear war in the 1960’s than we ever imagined. My Dad was a very good business man, well traveled, a great story teller and one who got others to share their stories. One of the stories my Father had told to him was received from a group of gentlemen after... [Read More]
What about heirlooms?
What about heirlooms? You can make specific provisions for family heirlooms and specialty items in your Estate Plan. Many times the family heirlooms or special personal items are considered the most important or emotionally valuable part of any Estate. In other words, your Grandfather’s watch that he wore every day may be more important to... [Read More]
Estate Planning is not really about taxes.
Estate Planning is really about the family and not about taxes. When I have asked my clients what their primary concerns are, their first answer is they want to protect themselves in the event of physical and mental disability and protect the surviving spouse in the event of physical or mental disability and in the... [Read More]
President Trying to Raise Taxes Again
I told you so! Most thought that the tax raises that went into effect in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 would be the end of the raised taxes. The Republicans agreed to raise taxes without receiving any concessions in spending from the White House in negotiating over the American Taxpayer Relief Act of... [Read More]
2013 ESTATE TAX RATES
Under the 2012 Tax Law, the Federal Estate Tax Exemption remains high for 2013. For 2013, the Federal Estate Tax is not due until the total value of the Estate is over $5.25 million. Last year the number was $5.12 million, but has gone up with the Cost of Living Inflation Index. The top Estate... [Read More]
2013 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATES
2013 Tax Rates have moved based upon the 2012 Tax Law. Individuals earning over $400,000 will pay at a rate of 39.6%. They will pay a higher Capital Gains and Dividend Tax of 20%. The payroll Medicaid Tax on Income and Dividends (Obama Care Tax) is 3.8% on individuals with a net investment income of... [Read More]