Riverside estate planning and tax law attorney, Dennis M. Sandoval, addressed The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys at their 20th Annual Spring Conference in Philadelphia this weekend. On Saturday, Dennis spoke on issues relating to trust funding and trust administration. On Sunday, he spoke on naming a trust as beneficiary of retirement assets, such as IRAs and 401Ks, in order to maximize "stretch-out" and long-term deferral on income taxation of inherited IRAs. Call 951-888-1460 … [Read more...] about Dennis Sandoval Speaks at American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Conference
Dennis Speaks to American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Riverside estate planning and tax attorney Dennis M. Sandoval addressed The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys at their 20th Anniversary Spring Conference in Philadelphia. On Saturday, Dennis talked about the technical issues of trust administration and trust funding. On Sunday, Dennis delivered a speach on the planning problems of naming a trust as a beneficiary of a retirement asset, such as an IRA or 401k, in order to maximize "stretch-out" and income tax deferral of inherited … [Read more...] about Dennis Speaks to American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Will Contest: Wealthy Widow, Barbara Johnson, Dies
Barbara Piasecka was born in 1937 in Staniewicze, Poland. She died in Wroclaw, Poland on April 3, 2013, at the age of 76. She arrived in the United States in 1968 with less than $200 in her pocket. Shortly thereafter she was hired as a cook by Esther Underwood Johnson, the second wife of J. Seward Johnson, Sr., heir to the Johnson and Johnson fortune. Her cooking skills were unacceptable, so she became a maid at the Johnson's Oldwick, N.J. estate. Mr. Johnson set her up in an apartment in … [Read more...] about Will Contest: Wealthy Widow, Barbara Johnson, Dies
Battle Over Astor Will Settles
The estate of Brooke Astor, the renowned philanthropist who died at age 105, was recently settled. It had been entangled in litigation for many years involving her son, Anthony Marshall, and his estate planning attorney, Francis X. Morrissey. Marshall and Morrissey convinced Astor, after she had been diagnosed with dementia, to execute a number of codicils to her Will, giving control of her $200 million estate to Marshall. Marshall intended to divert the funds that were intended to go to various … [Read more...] about Battle Over Astor Will Settles
Defending a Pet Trust
Ms. Marshel was very concerned that her beloved animals, who she called her "cherished children," were cared for after her death. She had horses, dogs, cats, goats, pigs, and other animals that she cared for on her Riverside County property. She named one of her most trusted friends as caretaker for the pets. She named other friends and relatives as co-trustees over the trust assets. A son whom she adopted out early in life, came back into her life shortly before her death. The estranged son … [Read more...] about Defending a Pet Trust
Leona Helmsley’s Unusual Pet Trust
Trouble, the white Maltese owned by Leona Helmsley, the New York hotel heiress known as the “queen of mean,” has died. Helmsley’s estate plan created a Pet Trust for Trouble, funded with $12 million from her estate. A judge later reduced the amount of the gift to $2 million. Another unusual provision that was nixed by government authorities was a provision in Helmsley’s Will that the dog be buried with her upon its death. New York state law prohibits animals from being buried in a cemetery for … [Read more...] about Leona Helmsley’s Unusual Pet Trust
Permanent Tax Cuts: It All Depends on What the Definition of “Permanent” Is
On January 2, 2013 Congress extended a majority of the “Bush Tax Cuts.” As part of that bill, the estate tax applicable exclusion amount (the amount that can be passed free of estate tax) was set at $5.25 million and indexed for inflation. This meant that a married couple, with proper planning, could pass, at death or during lifetime, as much as $10.5 million free from gift or estate tax. The gift and estate tax rate was increased to 40% from 35% in 2011 and 2012. The bill indicated this change … [Read more...] about Permanent Tax Cuts: It All Depends on What the Definition of “Permanent” Is
White House Unveils $100 Million Brain Mapping Project
On April 2, 2013, President Obama unveiled plans for the federal government to invest $100 million in human brain mapping. The goal is that the research will unlock the secret of mental conditions from dementia to epilepsy. This project will be known as the BRAIN initiative – Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies. The funding for BRAIN is expected to be delivered in 2014. Private institutions will be encouraged to work alongside government agencies in the research. … [Read more...] about White House Unveils $100 Million Brain Mapping Project
Associate Attorney Pamela Valencia Passes Certification Exam
Dennis is proud to announce that our associate attorney, Pamela Valencia, passed the exam administered by the California Bar Board of Legal Specialists to become certified as a Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist. Dennis is the only attorney in California with three specialist designations as a Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist, a Certified Taxation Law Specialist and a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Click here to lean more about the Legal … [Read more...] about Associate Attorney Pamela Valencia Passes Certification Exam
Dennis M. Sandoval, A PLC is Admitted as Charter Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Our law firm had been admitted as a charter member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. Our law firm is the only law firm in Southern California with a Geriatric Care Coordinator on staff. Karen Griffith, our Geriatric Care Coordinator, works exhaustively to secure the highest of care for our frail elderly and disabled clients. With the growing population of frail elderly and families needing advice regarding in-home care, assisted living and skilled nursing homes, life care planning … [Read more...] about Dennis M. Sandoval, A PLC is Admitted as Charter Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
