Yes. Portability must be elected on a timely-filed federal estate tax return. This is the case even though a federal estate tax return would … [Read more...] about Must an estate tax return be filed if portability will be utilized?

Portability is where the surviving spouse can use the amount of federal estate tax exclusion that their deceased spouse left unused at their … [Read more...] about What is portability?

A state estate tax is a tax levied by a state government upon the estate of a deceased person. It is levied in much the same way as the … [Read more...] about What is a state estate or inheritance tax?

The federal estate tax is a tax levied by the federal government upon the estate of a deceased person. The federal government gives certain … [Read more...] about What is the federal estate tax?

YES, but you would be better off choosing an attorney whose practice is focused on estate planning. Members of the American Academy of … [Read more...] about Can any attorney create a Living Trust?

NO. A Living Trust can help anyone protect his or her family from unnecessary probate fees, attorney’s fees, court costs and state and … [Read more...] about Isn’t a Living Trust only for the rich?

NO. The Living Trust has been authorized by the law for centuries. The government really has no interest in making you or your family suffer … [Read more...] about Is the Living Trust some kind of loophole the government will eventually close down?

YES. In fact, all real estate should be transferred into your Living Trust. Otherwise, upon your death, depending on how you hold the title, … [Read more...] about Can I transfer real estate into a Living Trust?

NO. The purpose of creating a Living Trust is to avoid living probate, death probate, and reduce or even eliminate state and federal estate … [Read more...] about Will a Living Trust avoid income taxes?