Estate Taxes Are Back in the News!

Yes, the federal estate tax system is back in the news and the news is not good. Are you following these latest developments?

President Obama has proposed a total overhaul of the federal transfer tax system which was just overhauled as recently as January 1, 2013. Did you know that the U.S. estate tax system has been overhauled over 13 times since 1987? Seems like the politicians cannot keep their hands off of your estate.

The latest proposal would impose new taxes on every estate upon death instead of just on people with large estates. I will cover these proposed changes in detail in an upcoming article, so the purpose of this article on estate planning and estate taxes is to gauge your opinion.

What do you think? Should every American have to pay these taxes or only wealthy people? What is the definition of wealth to you? Should you be allowed to pass your estate to your spouse? How about to your kids?

As an estate planning attorney, these proposals have the impact of destroying thousands of existing estate plans and could destroy many more families who rely on the ability to pass property to their family. Your opinion matters and we encourage you to make it known to your representatives and senators.

Let me know your thoughts on this by emailing me or commenting below. As always, thank you for your interest.

Bernie Greenberg

Experts Advise: Estate Planning Saves Family Time and Money

Estate planning attorneys like me have written thousands of articles about why you should plan your estate. There are many reasons to complete your estate plan with a qualified estate planning attorney.

In this article, the authors discuss reasons you may appreciate, saving your family gobs of money and time if something were to happen to you!

Experts advise that estate planning can save time, money for heirs - Your Houston News: News:

Let me know your thoughts and whether the reasons discussed by the authors are important to you. If not, what reasons were important to you for completing your estate plan.

Join our conversation and please comment or send us an email. Thank you.

Bernie Greenberg

Estate Planning Should be on Your New Year's Resolution List

It's that time of year again, time to usher in the new year and think about your list. Yes, that list of things you are finally going to accomplish this year. Creating our list of resolutions is always interesting and can be fun. But the real benefit is actually accomplishing those resolutions.

According this article from the Beloit Daily News, one of those resolutions should be to finally get your estate plan done. Estate planning should be among NYE resolutions - Beloit Daily News: Illinois News:

If you don't have a will, or your will or estate plan is more than two year's old, it's time to add this one to that list of New Year's resolutions and follow the advice of the article and just get it done.

Let me know if you have questions about how to start or complete your estate planning and enjoy 2015!

Bernie Greenberg