Global Family Law Services
Divorce is often viewed as the end of a chapter, but it is also the beginning of a new financial and personal reality. One important step that many individuals overlook after a divorce is revisiting their estate plan. Updating wills, trusts and beneficiary...
In 2017, a Republican-controlled House and Senate passed the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The TCJA more than doubled the maximum that donors can give their beneficiaries without incurring federal gift or estate taxes. At the end of 2025, several provisions of the...
There is no question about it – we are living in a digital world. So many aspects of our lives are now housed online, from banking to social media. It is therefore more important than ever to carefully consider how your digital assets will be handled by someone else,...
Year-end giving is a philanthropic tradition that holds special significance as the calendar draws to a close. As the final months of the year unfold, individuals, corporations and foundations often reflect on their achievements, growth and the impact they can make on the world. This introspection often culminates in a surge of generosity and charitable donations, collectively known as year-end…
Man’s best friend. A part of the family. Every day, dogs demonstrate their love and loyalty to their owners, which has inspired owners to leave some – or even all – of their estates to their beloved companions to ensure that these animals are well cared for after the owner’s death. This may sound ridiculous, but it is not. More…
Now, more than ever, we regularly rely on our phones and other electronic devices to not only assist us in navigating our daily life, but also to also store information. This information and the devices which hold that information can range from important to some to invaluable to others. Therefore, have you ever considered what should happen to your possibly…
Chanukah is right around the corner. So is the end of another tax year. Many are thinking of gift giving, and wanting to plan and budget smartly. This may be doubly true if you are thinking about your estate plan and if and how you can pass on your wealth during your lifetime. Depending on the size of any planned…
Trusts have long been a tool for the ultra-wealthy to preserve wealth and pass it down through the generations. But even those of more modest means may benefit from this powerful estate planning tool. Here are five reasons to consider forming a trust: To minimize the tax hit: True, the exclusion for estates and prior taxable gifts is $11.4 million,…
When you think of preparing for retirement, what comes to mind? A 401(k)? A pension? An IRA? Social Security? Other savings? What about real estate? Maybe surprisingly, some prospective retirees are looking to real estate investments to help fund their golden years. If you are interested in the prospect, know that you have several options. One of the simplest ways…
Whether you have $1,000 to give or $1 million, your estate plan may include some type of planned giving to your favorite charitable organization. Planned giving at its most basic, simply means a donation that is made with consideration of the benefit to the recipient and to the donor (e.g. tax benefits) and possibly to future heirs as well. Often,…