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Congress has passed and the President has signed into law the deal extending the Bush tax cuts and added some additional tax law changes.
As it relates to estate tax planning, the key elements of the legislation are the following:

Restoration of the federal estate tax, which was to have been “repealed” for the calendar year […]

One of the most challenging things for many executors is trying to locate and organize the decedent’s financial information, such as insurance policies, and bank and investment statements.  Faced with that problem after their father died in a car accident, Jarred and Adam Mait created http://www.knowtification.com/ 
Once person’s name, date of birth, date of death, social […]

Quick, what is the the second-most common type of progressive dementia in the elderly? Lewy body dementia (LBD) affects an estimated 1.3 million individuals and their families in the United States, but because LBD symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimer’s (the most common type of progressive dementia) and Parkinson’s, it […]

Medicare open enrollment is coming! During the annual open enrollment period, which runs from November 15 to December 31, you may switch Medicare drug or health care plans. While you should review your coverage every year, this year it is particularly important because of changes brought on by the new health care law.
As the health […]

Seniors who want to remain active and engaged often turn to volunteering. A new government Web site sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service is promoting volunteerism for seniors. The site, http://www.getinvolved.gov/, makes it easier for seniors to find volunteer opportunities around the country.
Those age 55 and older can use the Web site’s […]

The Social Security Administration may soon eliminate a loophole that allows Social Security recipients to claim benefits early and then apply for them again years later when they are eligible for larger checks.Although you can collect Social Security benefits starting at age 62, if you do, your benefits will be significantly lower than if you […]

Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of “skilled nursing” care per spell of illness. However, the conditions for obtaining Medicare coverage of a nursing home stay are quite stringent.  Here are the main requirements:
1. The Medicare recipient must enter the nursing home no more than 30 days after a hospital stay that itself […]

LegalZoom, one of the most prominent sellers of do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents, is the target of a class action lawsuit in California charging that the company engages in deceptive business practices and is practicing law without a license.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 27, 2010, by Katherine […]

The federal estate tax lapsed (was “repealed”) on January 1, 2010. But under current law, it will automatically rise from the ashes on January 1, 2011 and, unless Congress intervene, only $1 million per estate will be exempt from a stiff estate tax in upwards of 55%. That compares with a $3.5 million exemption and […]

Many of the provisions of the new health-care law have not yet been implemented, yet a new wave of scans seeking to exploit the uncertain ease of a new health-care law have already begun.  State insurance commissioners and attorneys general are warning consumers about these woo often aggressive for scam artists, that are often targeting […]