A Refresher on the Gift Tax
A parent can structure a gift of $1M to a child today such that neither the child nor the parent will pay any tax. A common misconception is that a…
Consider Declining to Act as Power of Attorney
A power of attorney authorizes a person (an “agent”) to act on behalf of the “principal” when the principal is no longer able to make his or her own decisions…
How Much Estate Tax Will I Owe (Back-of-the-Napkin Calculation)
Washington state has published its estate tax threshold for 2024. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t changed from 2023. When learning about the estate tax, people generally want to understand how to…
Navigating the Personal Residence Capital Gains Tax Trap for Seniors
As a senior citizen ages in her residence, she begins to understand a problem that has been brewing for years or decades. The house that she bought many moons ago…
Protect Your Wishes with The Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney Combo
Are you confused about the Health Care Directive? Is it the same as a Power of Attorney for Health Care? And what about a Living Will, DNR, or POLST? These…
Setting up a Solo LLC is Simple; a Multi-Member LLC is Infinitely More Complex
When setting up a business, conventional wisdom dictates that the business be set up in a legal entity providing limited liability protection, like a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This is…
Special Needs Trust for Disabled Children
Diversity comes in many forms and many related ways of accommodating different needs. When parents are planning for the needs of children with disabilities, a product that should be considered…
529 College Savings Conversion to Roth IRA
Transferring wealth to children will become a touch easier in 2024. Buried in the estimated 4000-page Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 that passed at the end of 2022, was the…
Prenuptial Agreements
Couples are often wary to bring up the dreaded P word when discussing their nuptials. After all, who wants to ostensibly discuss a divorce when there is an impending marriage…
Per Stirpes or Pro Rata? You probably want Per Stirpes
Periodically checking and updating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance is prudent. The next time you navigate the online portal or the old school paper form to write…
