Practical perspectives for contemporary legal challenges.
The 2017 Tax Act: The act significantly changes itemized deduction planning, making it very simple for some and more daunting for others. Most know the overall rules by now. But it doesn’t hurt to be reminded. Two biggest changes: 1. Much higher standard deduction (adjusted for inflation annually). For 2019: $24,400 for married couples filing jointly (plus …
Continue reading “Year-End Income Tax Planning – Itemized Deduction Planning: “Bunching””
Judges are elected or appointed officials serving the citizens of our communities. The majority of our judges are intelligent, empathic, possess a vast knowledge of the law and are experienced and wise. However, judges are also human and thus not immune from error or misjudgment. Putting your fate and your children’s fate in the hands …
Lifetime charitable giving, properly planned, may afford income tax savings. Under current federal income tax law, the income tax charitable deduction is available to taxpayers who itemize deductions rather than take the standard deduction. The standard deduction is $24,400 for a married couple, filing jointly in 2019 and half that amount for a single individual. …
It is universally recognized that litigating legal decision making, parenting time or other parenting issues can be harmful to the development of children. Litigation involving minor children, especially high conflict and protracted litigation, can result in ongoing emotional turmoil, depression, lower levels of self-esteem and a higher risk of mental illness, substance abuse, educational difficulties …
ATTENTION TO DETAIL! You would think that this space need not be taken up with a reminder of the obvious importance of beneficiary designations for life insurance policies and retirement accounts (qualified and non-qualified). But those of us who practice in the trusts and estates area are frequently reminded, through painful experiences with clients, that …