For invitations to our events and updates on key legal issues and business concerns:
Please Click HerePosted on May 25, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
You have faithfully and scrupulously carried out your Mom’s wishes. You are her primary agent under her durable and healthcare powers of attorney because Mom wants you. She wants your companionship. She wants your care and attention. She moved from the homestead to live near you because you are the one she wants. She not […]
Posted on March 1, 2011 by Mark J. Bradley
The federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax rules approved by Congress in December, 2010 are in effect during 2011 and 2012 only. The Treasury Department announced in February, 2011 that President Obama’s 2012 budget proposals presume several important changes in the rules that will take effect on January 1, 2013. In “General Explanations […]
Posted on December 20, 2010 by Melissa S. Kampmann
On December 17, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (“2010 Tax Act”). The new law centers around a temporary, two-year reprieve from the expiration of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”) and the Jobs and Growth Tax […]
Posted on November 23, 2010 by Mark D. Munson
December 2010 may be one of the best times to use a grantor retained annuity trust (or “GRAT”) to transfer assets to children and grandchildren free of gift taxes. The reason is that based on current tax rules, it is assumed that assets transferred to a GRAT in December 2010 will yield an annual return […]
Posted on July 21, 2010 by Mark D. Munson
On May 12, 2010, Governor Doyle signed the Uniform Power of Attorney for Finances and Property Act (the Act), which becomes effective on September 1, 2010. Under the Act, the laws in Wisconsin that address durable powers of attorney for finances and property will be significantly different from, and more comprehensive than, the current laws. […]
Posted on June 29, 2010 by Mark J. Bradley
A number of bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress to deal with the estate tax situation that we described in a previous legal update. See “Questions and Answers Concerning Status of Federal Estate Tax”, December 2009. Last week Senator Bernard Sanders introduced yet one more piece of estate tax reform legislation. In what […]
Posted on February 2, 2010 by Mark J. Bradley
We previously announced that there is currently no federal estate or generation-skipping transfer tax in effect in the United States. The federal gift tax, however, is still in effect. The burning question is whether Congress this year will (i) extend the law that was in effect at the end of 2009, (ii) make repeal of […]
Posted on January 20, 2010 by Mark J. Bradley
We want to alert you to some important changes in the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax laws that went into effect on January 1. In 2001, Congress passed a law that gradually increased the amount that persons could transfer at death free of estate and GST taxes. The amount grew to $3.5 […]
Posted on January 13, 2010 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Social Security Administration Releases Key Figures for 2011 The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently released key figures for 2011 that will affect all elderly and disabled individuals who receive program benefits, including social security benefits, supplemental security benefits, and Medicare benefits. This notice summarizes these changes and their impact on various benefits. Social Security Retirement […]
Posted on January 13, 2010 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) recently released key figures for 2010 that will affect all elderly and disabled individuals who receive program benefits, including social security benefits, supplemental security income benefits, and Medicare benefits. This notice summarizes the changes and their impact on various benefits. Social Security Retirement As many seniors already know, there will […]