Articles
Ancillary Probate in Florida
December 4, 2018The “Sunshine State” is well-known for attracting individuals, such as snowbirds, who often own Florida property without becoming residents of the state. However, if a non-resident of Florida dies leaving Florida property, administration of the decedent’s estate may be complicated by the need for an ancillary probate proceeding in Florida to dispose of the Florida property.
Practical Law Journal
Disclaimer Danger
IRS Deems Disclaimer of Trust Interest Not Subject to Gift Tax
November 26, 2018A disclaimer, in the most basic estate-planning sense, is a refusal to accept an interest in property. But why would someone ever reject an interest in a trust or an inheritance? There’s actually several reasons.
Modification of a GST Trust Didn't Impact Its Exclusion Status
A recent PLR demonstrates the dangers that even judicial modifications can pose to a trust's tax status.
October 26, 2018Chapter 13 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax on generation-skipping transfers (that is, transfers to individuals more than one generation below the donor).
Increased Charitable Giving Through the Legacy IRA Act
September 11, 2018Charitable-minded Americans age 70½ or older are allowed tax-free transfers from their IRAs to make direct gifts to charitable organizations.
Steve Leimberg's Charitable Planning Newsletter
Internal Revenue Manual Updates Provide Welcome Guidance for Federal Estate Tax Lien Release Process
September 5, 2018Real property owned at the time of an individual’s death is subject to a federal estate tax lien, which, in accordance with IRC section 6324, attaches to the property automatically and provides security for any estate taxes that may be owed.
Bargain Sales to Charities: Charitable Deductions and Capital Gains Savings
The donor allocates the property's cost basis between the gift element and the sale element, based on the fair market value of each part.
August 24, 2018The donor allocates the property's cost basis between the gift element and the sale element, based on the fair market value of each part.
The New York Law Journal
GST Tax Exemptions in Jeopardy
A recent PLR showcases risks associated with modifying grandfathered generaltion-skipping transfer trusts
May 18, 2018The provisions of Chapter 13 of the Internal Revenue Code aren't for the faint of heart. That chapter specifically deals with the tax on generation-skipping transfers, that is transfers to individuals more than one generation below the donor.
Trusts & Estates Magazine Website
"What Beats A Charitable Bequest Under The New Tax Law?"
April 10, 2018“Many people go to their lawyers and add a charity in their wills. Instead, I suggest they consider a charitable remainder trust or a charitable gift annuity,” says tax lawyer Conrad Teitell, chairman of the Charitable Planning Group at Cummings & Lockwood who has published the Taxwise Giving newsletter since 1964. Most leading charities, including colleges, offer these "planned giving" opportunities.
Forbes
Gift Split Gaffe
Accountant's Mistake Could Result in Increased Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
April 3, 2018When a taxpayer signs a Form 709 reporting transfers subject to federal gift tax, he signs under penalties of perjury that he’s examined the return and, to the best of his knowledge, the return is “true, correct, and complete.” But honestly, does the average taxpayer truly know or understand the tax implications of the gifts he makes?
Trusts & Estates Magazine Website
"How To Give It Away"
February/March 2018 IssueLaura Weintraub Beck, a trusts and estates attorney in Cummings & Lockwood’s Greenwich, Connecticut office, was quoted in an article entitled “How to Give It Away” in The Magazine published by AARP in the February/March 2018 issue.
AARP's The Magazine
Court Upholds Regulations Requiring Charities to Disclose Donors
March 6, 2018Charities may not be happy about a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that might result in donors thinking twice before pledging support to a charitable organization.
Trusts & Estates Magazine Website
Charitable Contributions From Trusts are Treated Differently
February 6, 2018Like individuals and corporations, trusts and estates that make contributions of property to charitable organizations may be eligible to receive a corresponding income tax deduction for such contributions.
Trusts & Estates Magazine Website