Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2018

Here’s a brief glance at what you’ll find in the August/September issue…

Charitable giving in a post-TCJA world

What you need to know in the wake of the new tax law

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will have a significant impact on estate planning and related aspects, such as charitable giving. Even though the TCJA reduces tax incentives for making charitable donations for some people, it encourages contributions for others. This article explains how the TCJA affects charitable giving.

Understanding the contents of a will

No estate plan is complete without a will. But what provisions should be included in it? This article explores the basic provisions of a will and how it should address estate taxes and specific bequests. A sidebar discusses the importance of including a “common disaster” clause in a will.

Should a tax apportionment clause be in your estate plan?

Even though the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the gift and estate tax exemption to $10 million beginning this year, there are many families that still have to contend with significant federal estate tax liability. Plus, there may be state estate taxes that must be taken into account. If individuals find themselves in this situation, it’s important that they consider a tax apportionment clause in their wills or revocable trusts. This article details how a tax apportionment clause works.

Estate Planning Pitfall

You’re not paying enough attention to state estate tax laws

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides greater flexibility in estate planning for many taxpayers. So, no more estate tax worries for most people, right? Not so fast. For residents of some states, state estate or inheritance taxes can still present a significant problem. This brief article examines state estate taxes.

To view a PDF of the newsletter with full articles, click here.