Estate and Elder Law

Recent Posts

John Dedon On Estate Planning: Estate Planning – What a Difference a Year Makes
Posted on 3 Dec 2013 by John Dedon

In contrast to this time last year, when clients were frantically gifting to save estate tax before adverse tax law changes, this year has returned to the norm, with more traditional and routine end of year planning. In December 2012, Congress at the... Read More

Dedon on Estate Planning: The President’s 2015 Budget: Limitations on Crummey Withdrawal Rights
Posted on 10 Apr 2014 by John Dedon

President Obama’s $2.9 trillion budget for the 2015 fiscal year includes several tax increases, particularly on the wealthy, to pay for increased spending without increasing the deficit. One increase that will not be widely reported pertains to... Read More

Dedon on Estate Planning: Pets and Estate Planning
Posted on 3 Mar 2015 by John Dedon

Bella - A Tribute | Anyone who has not felt the sadness and loss from the death of a pet either has never owned a pet or is devoid of humanity. My three pound Yorkie, Bella (technically, my daughter's dog, but you know how that works), had neurological... Read More

John Dedon on Estate Planning: Kardashian Family Continues to Teach Estate Planning Lessons
Posted on 3 Nov 2015 by John Dedon

My March 30, 2015 Post, discussed how Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian family, was confused about the difference between 1) her Will and the role of the Executor, and 2) her Living Will and the role of the agent. In an episode of "Keeping... Read More

Dedon On Estate Planning: 2015 Exemption - $5,430,000
Posted on 27 Feb 2015 by John Dedon

The IRS announced inflation adjustment tax items for 2015. Of interest on the estate and gift side, the annual exclusion remains at $14,000. However, the exclusion amount for taxpayers dying in 2015 increased from $5,340,000 to $5,430,000. Thus, a married... Read More

John Dedon on Estate Planning – Staying Current
Posted on 11 Jul 2014 by John Dedon

Attached below is a July 3, 2014 Forbes article detailing the need for clients to review and update their estate plans. Now that I have been in practice for 30 years, approximately 25 percent of the legal work that I do comes from existing clients updating... Read More

John Dedon On Estate Planning: Preparing a Certificate of Trust
Posted on 3 Dec 2013 by John Dedon

Clients often ask about a Trust "Certificate" or "Certification." A Trust Certificate serves as a summary of the Trust provisions, and is designed to provide third parties, such as banks, insurance companies, or financial institutions... Read More

Dedon on Estate Planning: Ringing in the New Year With Good Estate Tax News
Posted on 9 Jan 2014 by John Dedon

By John Dedon In the estate tax world, 2013 ended in stark contrast to the frantic planning during 2012. 2013 marked a return to fundamental estate planning; namely, using Wills, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Medical Directives, to protect... Read More

John Dedon on Estate Planning: Good news on Estate Tax Exemption
Posted on 3 Nov 2015 by John Dedon

The IRS recently announced the inflation adjusted figures for gift and estate tax exemption amounts for 2016. The annual exclusion amount remains at $14,000. That is the amount that can be gifted to US citizens each year without eroding the per person... Read More