Seminar - Estate Law Changes 2013

Learn about the 2013 Estate Law Changes at a complimentary seminar.

After many months of anticipation, Congress passed a Bill that will avoid the “sunset” of the existing estate tax
laws. This is a big development because it keeps the individual estate tax exemption at $5 million (indexed for inflation), relieving many people of a large estate tax implication at death for those with estates over $1
million.

A sunset of that provision would have caused the exemption to drop back down to $1 million and the top tax rate increased to rise to 55%, (something that greatly concerned many of our clients). Under the new Bill, the recently passed American Taxpayer Relief Act,
not much change is made to the 2012 laws.  

What it lacks, however, is continuity as well as certainty, as, among other things, it prescribes no future sunset date. This leaves many individuals in the dark as to how to prepare for future years and how to plan for their estate valuation and tax.  Our firm is recommending that most clients review their estate plans, due to this uncertainty. 

There are other provisions that are uncertain, for example the benefits of “portability” that previously only had a two year shelf life now have no expiration.   (Portability is the ability of the surviving spouse to utilize any unused estate tax credit of the deceased spouse.  In many cases this can eliminate the need for a Bypass Trust that were often drafted into trusts.)  To that end, we recommend that individuals visit their estate plans with counsel and a financial advisor, as needed.

Please note this is a complimentary event, however registration is required.