estate plan Archives - Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

Estate Planning for Special Needs Children

June 16, 2017/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Having a child with special needs brings countless challenges to overcome. Parents of these children, regardless of age, are their biggest advocates, providers, and caretakers. Life is unpredictable, but if parents have a well thought out plan they can take comfort in knowing their child will continue to be provided for. Therefore, it is essential that parents of a special needs child plan early regarding their estate.

Setting out an estate plan to provide for a child with special needs has its own unique hurdles. One is to design a plan that supplements a child’s government benefits while enhancing the quality of the child’s life. As a parent, if you leave your child too much outright this may risk them losing their public benefits. Another hurdle to overcome is to figure out how to provide for proper supervision, management, and distribution of the inheritance through a third party created and funded Special Needs Trust. The task of estate planning may feel daunting at times, but with a knowledgeable attorney and good organization parents can execute a successful estate plan.

The ultimate goal is to preserve public benefits for a disabled child. Parents will want the plan to provide a lifetime of money management for the child’s benefit, protect the child’s eligibility for public benefits, and ensure a pool of funds available for future use in the event public funding ceases or is restricted.

These goals can be accomplished by executing a Special Needs Trust. If properly drafted and administered, a Special Needs Trust will allow the child to continually qualify for public assisted programs even though their parents have left them an inheritance. This occurs since the assets are not directly available to the child and because this type of trust has strict limits on the trustee’s availability to give money to the child.

Parents who draft a Special Needs Trust will appoint a trustee to act as the child’s money manager. This is a very important decision because it will ensure the long-term success of the Special Needs Trust. Parents should closely counsel with their attorney before making this selection.

Parents may also wish to appoint a guardian or conservator. A conservatorship or guardianship are court proceedings that designate a person to handle certain affairs for an incapacitated person. Where a conservator cares for the estate and financial affairs, a guardian is responsible for personal affairs such as where the child lives or what doctor they see.

Parent’s planning will ensure their child is cared for in the best way possible. But it is important to plan now. If you are considering drafting an estate plan and would like more information about Special Needs Trusts or other options available, please contact the experienced estate law attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

Lastly, please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship

HOW AN ESTATE PLAN COULD HAVE CARRIED ON PRINCE’S CHARITABLE LEGACY

May 27, 2016/in Estate Planning /by Riley Pennington

In the wake of rock & roll legend Prince’s untimely death, a number of issues have arisen regarding his estate plan – or lack thereof. One of the biggest issues is that none of the charities that Prince donated to throughout his life will inherit from his approximately 150 million dollar estate.

CNN Political Commentator, friend, and philanthropic partner of Prince, Van Jones, described Prince as “The Silent Angel.”* During Prince’s lifetime, he anonymously donated millions of dollars to dozens of charities. Unfortunately, since Prince died without a will, the charities that used to receive substantial donations from Prince will inherit nothing. Instead, his estate will be distributed pursuant to Minnesota’s intestacy laws. For those who die without a will, intestacy laws are a state’s default estate plan. The estate is usually distributed among the decedent’s heirs. Prince dying intestate is strange because of the the size of his estate, and his propensity to give to charity.

It is uncommon for someone with an estate as big as Prince’s to not do any kind of estate planning. In fact, those with big estates often do what is referred to as “advanced estate planning.” One advanced estate planning practice is to create a charitable trust. A charitable trust is an estate planning vehicle that can fulfill your philanthropic endeavors, all the while, having your estate receive beneficial tax treatment. There are generally two kinds of people that set up charitable trusts: those who are charitably inclined and those who take advantage of the tax benefits.

For those who are charitably inclined, a charitable trust can and should be tailored to accomplishing your philanthropic undertakings. A charitable trust allows an individual to make charitable donations during life and after death. Setting up a charitable trust is a way to ensure that a charity will continue to receive donations after the settlor has passed away. Other benefits of creating a charitable trust, and an estate plan, include, but are not limited to, avoiding probate, minimizing conflict during trust administration, and fulfilling the settlor’s intent.

For those who are primarily tax-driven, there are various tax benefits of which one can take advantage. In short, there are different kinds of charitable trusts. Each receives different kinds of tax treatment, has different formation requirements, and other distinguishing characteristics. If creating a charitable trust is something that you want to do, or are at least considering, meeting with an experienced estate planning attorney is imperative, because estate planning requires expertise and precision when determining which avenues should be taken. Had Prince set up a charitable trust during his life, not only would the charities that relied upon his generous donations be taken care of, but his estate would be taking advantage of the tax benefits.

Unless a will is found, we will never know how Prince would have wanted his estate to be distributed. It is likely that he would have had wanted a portion of it to go to charity. If you possess a philanthropic disposition, creating a charitable trust is something that should definitely be considered. A few of the benefits of creating a charitable trust are accomplishing your charitable goals, helping those who need it, and receiving tax benefits.

If you are interested in creating a charitable trust or have any questions regarding your current estate plan, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including charitable trusts, and we are happy to offer you a free consultation. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

* http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/opinions/prince-eight-things-to-know-jones/

Tax and Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

August 1, 2014/in Estate Planning, In the Community, Probate /by David Patton

Earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit struck down Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban, saying that withholding the fundamental right to marry from same-sex couples is a form of segregation that the Constitution cannot tolerate.

In June 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Windsor, held that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages and that it is up to state Legislatures to define marriage within state boundaries. Since then, numerous law-suits challenging the constitutionality of state DOMAs on equal protection and due process grounds have prevailed in various federal and state courts. Currently, 19 states, including California, plus the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage (recognition states), while 40 states prohibit it (non-recognition states).

The prevailing prediction is that a Supreme Court guarantee of a right to marriage is on its way. American support for same-sex marriage is at a new high of 55 percent, and California support is at 61 percent and increasing, if the trends continue. It is important for all couples to create an estate plan. Additionally, it is important for same-sex couples to be aware of the potentially complicated issues that arise when they move across state lines.

Same-Sex Couples Living in California

Same-sex married couples now living in California enjoy the same benefits and burdens under state and federal law as married opposite-sex couples. Before Windsor and IRS Revenue Ruling 2013-17 (which extended federal tax benefits to married same-sex couples, regardless of their state of residency), many married opposite-sex couples likely took this preferential treatment for granted.

Some of these benefits include:

Property transferred between spouses incident to a divorce is not subject to income or gift tax;
Spousal support (alimony) payments are tax deductible to the paying spouse;
Child support payments are not subject to income tax;
Spouses receive a community interest in 401(k) accounts and other retirement plans; and
Spouses receive all community property and anywhere from one-third to all of the deceased spouse’s separate property for intestate (when a person dies without a will or other non-probate instrument) inheritance purposes.

All couples should be aware of their legal rights at marriage, divorce, and death. It is important for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples to consider pre-marital agreements, estate plans, and any tax consequences that arise from marriage or divorce.

The Marital Status of Migrating Same-Sex Couples

When a same-sex couple moves out of California, their marital status will depend on the other state’s law with regards to various issues including, state tax filing status, intestate succession, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, and adoption and artificial reproductive technologies. In other words, a non-recognition state may not recognize the otherwise valid same-sex marriage.

If and when the Supreme Court guarantees a right to marriage, moving across state lines will no longer be an issue for same-sex couples. However, in the interim, it is important to be aware of the possible legal consequences.

For example, under Florida law, the definition of “heir” does not include same-sex spouses for intestate inheritance purposes. This means that a same-sex couple that was married in California, but permanently living in Florida, will not inherit from each other under the Florida intestate system. Some courts in non-recognition states are willing to recognize same-sex marriage in certain contexts through the doctrine of comity, which is where a court gives deference to another state’s laws. However, most surviving spouses want to avoid litigation because it can be a headache, requiring time, money, and mental energy.

In some cases, it might be worthwhile for same-sex spouses to opt out of the intestate system with non-probate instruments, such as estate plans. A same-sex couple’s estate plan needs to be drafted with precision, specifically naming beneficiaries, rather than using general terms such as “spouse.” This becomes especially important if a same-sex couple moves to a non-recognition state, where the court may not interpret a same-sex spouse to qualify as a spouse or heir. If any other blood related heirs of the deceased spouse were to contest the non-probate instrument, they could end up inheriting property that would have gone to the same-sex spouse in California or another recognition state.

If you are a same-sex couple and are considering marriage, or need to create or update an estate plan, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law and estate planning matters and offer a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Your Business Exit strategy should start today

July 15, 2014/in Business Law, Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

If you draft a will in order to ensure that your heirs are taken care, developing a business succession plan will ensure your company continues to thrive after you are gone.

As the economy slowly emerges from the shadow of The Great Recession of 2009, businesses are also starting to thrive again. While storefront businesses are still a staple of the American dream, use of the internet and the relatively low cost of creating a website and selling a unique product or idea has lowered the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs who wish to start a family business.

If you own or are starting a family business, you are in good company: Forbes estimates that family businesses account for 50 percent of the current Gross Domestic Product in the U.S. This includes 35 percent of Fortune 500 companies (the top 500 U.S. publicly and privately held companies ranked by their gross revenue and published by Fortune magazine) that are controlled exclusively by families.

However, there is a problem with the family business model. According to a Pricewaterhouse Coopers survey, only 52 percent of family businesses expect members of the next generation to be able to run their business. Junior members lack of experience for running a company coupled with poor succession planning are the main culprits.

Get a Prenup for Your Business

If a premarital agreement can reduce headache and anxiety in the event of a divorce, then a similar mechanism for a family business – labeled a Shareholder’s Agreement* – will reduce anxiety and hard feelings when it becomes necessary to distribute assets or make tough decisions regarding the family business.

An agreement among shareholders or family owners lays the ground rules of a family business in terms of important topics such as governance, succession, transfer of assets, liquidity and taxes among others. A Shareholder’s Agreement may address such questions as:

Board composition:
- Will each sibling be represented?
- Will there be a board of directors?
- Will executives from outside the family be allowed?
- What training experience will be required?
Decision-making process:
- What is the number of votes needed to approve key issues?
- What is the method for dispute resolution?
- What are the rights of family members?
- Family members not involved in the business?
- Non-family involved in the business?
Business and Owner Estate Plan:
- Who are the business successors (both managers and owners of the business)?
- What is the compensation for owners?
- What is the remaining profit distribution?
- What are the taxation implications upon sale or transfer of ownership?
- Is there an estate plan? Is it in writing? Is there a timeline for implementation?

Although many small businesses fail, by addressing these issues a small business owner takes steps towards ensuring his or her family’s interests while saving money, and avoiding conflict.

Careful estate planning can ensure that a family business continues to benefit family members and that ownership of the business is not diluted until the business is ready to accept outside investors. Owners’ estate plans should use trusts or other mechanisms to restrict the ability of their heirs to transfer shares. A successful family business is an excellent means to provide financial security for the small business owner and his or her loved ones as well as employment opportunities for interested family members.

Estate planning is a complex field. Whether you are concerned with devising a plan for either a family estate or that of a business, it is important to get good advice. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters including business succession plans, wills, and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information as we are happy to offer you a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*Source

The Surprising Tax Benefits of Holding Title as Community Property with Right of Survivorship

May 30, 2014/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

A married couple in California can hold title to their real property in various forms. Historically, many couples took title in joint tenancy without first consulting with an attorney, merely because their real estate agent would suggest it. However, the way that a couple holds title to an asset can have significant consequences in the event of divorce or the death of a spouse.

Community Property with Right of Survivorship is a relatively new way for married couples to hold title to property in California. Under Section 682.1 of the California Civil Code, property clearly titled “Community Property with Right of Survivorship” and deeded after July 1, 2001 will pass to the surviving spouse upon death of one of the spouses.

Depending on your situation, there may be significant benefits to holding title as Community Property with Right of Survivorship. When title is held in this manner and a spouse dies, their interest in the property is extinguished and it passes to the surviving spouse, avoiding probate. This can benefit the surviving spouse by eliminating any stress associated with probate procedures, family disputes, and attorney’s fees. For more information regarding the probate system and why people choose to avoid it, see our previous post.

Additionally, this form of title allows the surviving spouse to obtain the tax benefits of community property upon the death of the other spouse. Consider the happily married couple, Hank and Wendy, who bought a home in 2004 for $100,000. This is their basis. Now, the house is worth $1,000,000. If Hank and Wendy were to sell the house for $1,000,000, they would be taxed on the difference between the sale price ($1,000,000) and their adjusted basis ($100,000), or $900,000. Now let’s assume that Hank unfortunately dies and Wendy wants to sell the house. In this scenario, the amount of taxable profit will depend on how title is held.

If the parties hold title to the house as Joint Tenants, each spouse owns a 50% interest in the house. When Hank dies, Wendy automatically inherits his half share of the house. The basis of inherited property is adjusted to the value of the property at the date of death. Wendy’s basis will stay the same ($50,000) and the share she inherited from Hank will be adjusted to the value of his share of the property at his death ($500,000). Wendy’s new adjusted basis in the house is $550,000. If Wendy sells for $1,000,000, she is taxed on the difference between the sale price ($1,000,000) and her adjusted basis ($550,000) or $450,000.

However, if the parties hold title to the house as Community Property with Right of Survivorship, each spouse owns the entire property rather than a 50% interest. Upon Hank’s death, both his interest and Wendy’s interest receive a stepped up basis. Thus, the basis of the home is adjusted to the date of death value for the entire property ($1,000,000). If Wendy sells for $1,000,000, she is taxed on the difference between the sale price ($1,000,000) and her adjusted basis ($1,000,000), or nothing.

In the event of a divorce, the house is treated as community property. If you have any questions regarding how your current property is titled or are considering changing your current estate plan, feel free to contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information.

Remember that each individual situation is unique. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Allotting Trust Funds for Travel

August 27, 2012/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Concerned that your loved one will not be able to see the Seven Wonders of the World? Fortunately, with the flexibility of creating a customized estate plan, travel can become a part of your legacy. As reported by the San Jose Mercury News in Inheriting Travel: Trusts Can Fund Trips for Heirs,* there are many people thinking about how to influence the behavior of their descendants in a positive way.

Some people choose to specify a particular country or city in their trust, while others choose to bequeath money for the purpose of their offspring connecting with their heritage or for a philanthropic purpose. In one case, a father wanted to encourage family visits where his children lived far away from each other, so he included a yearly air travel budget in his estate plan.

There are many creative clauses that can be included in a trust to create an estate plan tailored to your needs. Additionally, including such provisions can work to shield the beneficiaries from creditors. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or modifying your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

* Read article here: http://bit.ly/P0VTAN

2011 Tax Laws Affecting the Inheritance of Real Property

November 11, 2011/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

In 2010, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act (Tax Relief Act) of 2010 extended the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) for two years through 2012. For those who may be inheriting real property in 2011, it is important to note that the “step up in basis” rules will remain through 2012.

In order to adequately explain what this concept entails, here is an example from the Wall Street Journal:

Suppose your Uncle Joe died earlier this year and left you some valuable stocks, bonds and other items. Those assets have risen in value over the years. You’re thinking of selling them to buy a new home or to invest in something else. How would you figure out your tax cost for capital-gains tax purposes?

Typically, your tax cost is the fair market value of the assets on the date your uncle died — or, in certain cases, their value six months later. That means you don’t have to worry about figuring out what Uncle Joe originally paid for them. You don’t have to rummage through his old records or search the Web.

All that should matter is their fair market value on the date he died (or, in certain cases, six months later). This is known as “step up in basis” because your tax basis on those appreciated assets typically gets stepped up to the date-of-death value.

The General Basis Increase (the sum of the aggregate basis increases) is the maximum allotted amount the Tax Code will allow to be “stepped up.” The EGTRRA of 2001 preserved the step up in basis for up to $1.3 million dollars (plus an additional $3 million for assets given to a spouse) through 2010. Then the Tax Relief Act of 2010 extended the EGTRRA to 2012. Thus, the General Basis Increase for 2011 will remain at $1.3 million, and if assets are given to a spouse, up to $4.3 million. Therefore, if the value of assets inherited totals more than $1.3 million, assets beyond that sum will not be “stepped up.”

While creating an estate plan, it is always important to consider tax consequences on the estate, any named beneficiaries, and the planner himself. Any named beneficiaries who have an interest in real property should also be aware of the taxes they will be responsible for after inheriting real property. The Tax Code is intimidating and daunting; however, the Estate Planning Attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri can help clarify the process. If you are interested in learning more about taxes on your estate plan or how you may be affected by receiving an inheritance, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Spendthrift Clauses: Protecting Your Loved Ones’ Inheritances

September 19, 2011/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Most people consider the protection of their assets from their own creditors when beginning to plan for their estate. However, few consider the prospect of their heirs’ creditors. Adding spendthrift language to a trust may help safeguard their heirs’ assets.

A variety of trusts can be spendthrift trusts as long as a spendthrift clause is included. Despite its name, a spendthrift trust does not simply protect heirs from being recklessly extravagant or wasteful in their use of funds. Spendthrift clauses restrict a beneficiary’s ability to assign or transfer his or her interest in the trust and restrict the rights of creditors to reach the trust assets. If your child gets divorced, it can prevent your child’s spouse from claiming a share of the trust property. If your child predeceases his or her spouse, it can ensure that your children or grandchildren receive their inheritance rather than your spouse. A properly designed spendthrift trust can even protect your heirs’ assets from being attacked by frivolous lawsuits, dishonest business partners, or unscrupulous creditors.

There are, however, some limitations. Government agencies may be able to reach the trust assets, regardless of spendthrift language, to satisfy something like a tax obligation. Further, ex-spouses may be able to reach the trust assets to satisfy child support arrearages. Generally, the more discretion granted to the trustee the greater the protection against creditors’ claims.

If you are interested in learning more about spendthrift trusts or creating an estate plan, contact the San Jose estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, LLP. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Single? Time to Start Your Estate Planning

July 26, 2011/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

When most people think of estate planning, they think of the later stages of life—perhaps when a family is established or in preparing for the end of life in old age. It is probably the last thing on a young, single person’s to-do list; but it should be at the top.

Single people are out on their own and need to understand how important it is to have estate matters squared away in case of death. If not, tragedy may be followed by unnecessary trauma for the person who ends up managing the estate. Singlehood is not reserved just for the young and carefree; it can happen to anyone at any stage in life. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, singles have overtaken married couples as the majority population. In 2010, singles represented fifty-two percent of all households.

There are a number of complex and emotional issues that could be avoided simply by planning ahead. With couples, the law dictates that the spouse takes care of most issues, whereas singles have no option unless they so designate. It gets especially complicated if minor children are involved as they cannot inherit until they turn eighteen. Singles could benefit from establishing a will (to establish what would happen to assets), a durable financial power of attorney (to designate a person to handle financial affairs in case of incapacity), a medical power of attorney (to appoint a person to make medical care decisions), a living will (to specify what measures can be taken to sustain life in case of incapacity).

If you are interested in learning more about individual estate planning or creating a comprehensive plan to ensure that your family members are well-prepared to handle your estate, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Estate Planning Bucket List: Managing Important Documents in Case of Death

July 19, 2011/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

The last thing surviving relatives want to think about when a loved one passes away is managing the affairs of the deceased’s estate. Amid the grief and sorrow, a comprehensive estate plan can help to eliminate these uncertainties and confusion over the probate administration and assist surviving relatives in handling their painful loss.

It is also imperative that family members are aware of where to find an estate plan and other important documents. The Wall Street Journal’s “25 Documents You Need Before You Die” highlights the ramifications of unorganized estate planning documents and notes the most important documents to keep handy. It provides a thorough guide on the steps to take to ensure your estate plan is carried out.

If you are interested in learning more about individual estate planning documents or creating a comprehensive plan to ensure that your family members are well-prepared to handle your estate, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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