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Proposition 19 Presentation for the Santa Cruz County Estate Planning Council … Read More

Does Your Trust Still Fit? Many couples who had estate plans prepared prior to 2011 have trusts that require that the assets be divided into to two separate trusts on the first death. Trusts were drafted this way to maximize the value of assets that could be passed down to children without estate tax. The … Read More

In 2021, a U.S. citizen may transfer up to $11.7 million to a non-spouse without federal estate tax. This amount is indexed for inflation each year through 2025. On January 1, 2026, this law sunsets, unless Congress and the President make this law permanent. If the law sunsets, the estate tax exemption amount will revert … Read More

If your trust requires a division of assets into two sub-trusts on the death of the first spouse, your current trust may no longer suit your needs.  (Look to see if your trust mentions a Bypass Trust, “B” Trust, Exemption Trust, Marital Trust, or Family Trust). Many couples created their trusts before 2011, when there … Read More