Chipman Mazzucco Emerson Estate Planning and Elder Law

Is It Time To Review Your Estate Plan?

Federal Estate Tax Repeal:  As of January 1, 2010 the U.S. estate tax has been repealed, temporarily.  The U.S. estate tax is scheduled to return in 2011 with a $1,000,000 “exemption.”  The 2009 exemption was $3,500,000.  We expect that Congress will take some action in the coming months.

Connecticut Estate Tax Changes:  Effective January 1, 2010, the Connecticut estate tax “exemption” was increased from $2,000,000 to $3,500,000 but the fate of this change is uncertain.

Our March seminar will help you determine whether you should review your estate plan to take into account the tax changes that have already been made and the changes that will be coming.  Some of the effects of repeal of the federal estate tax are explained here: January 10, 2010, article on repeal and the need for a review.

Other Reasons to Review: The other reasons for review continue to apply.

Have the circumstances of your Executor, Trustee or Guardian changed significantly?

Has the life of a beneficiary changed significantly? If a beneficiary becomes disabled, dies or is divorcing, perhaps you should change the estate plan as it relates to that beneficiary. A beneficiary’s good fortune may also be a good reason to make changes.

Have your assets changed significantly? If your assets have grown, you may now need tax planning. If your estate has decreased in size, the tax planning you did many years ago may no longer be appropriate.

If your health is failing, or if that possibility is now more real to you, you may wish to consider different approaches for dealing with incapacity.

If a substantial part of your estate consists of IRAs and similar retirement accounts (including life insurance), it may be time for you to consider specific planning strategies for such accounts.  Conversion to Roth IRAs in 2010 is especially appealing.

If you have pets, you may wish to consider recently enacted legislation relating to “pet trusts.”

We will cover the most common approaches for dealing with these issues and more.

LET US KNOW WHAT TOPICS YOU WANT US TO COVER

Contact us to let us know whether you would like us to cover a particular issue.  If we can, we will try to fit the issue into this program or a program we plan for the future.  The best way to reach us is by e-mail, but we would be pleased to receive your suggestions by regular mail or by telephone.  If you wish, call after hours and leave a voice mail message. Telephone Number: (203) 744-1929.  Or, contact me by email at rsl@danburylaw.com or Lynn D’Ostilio at lsd@danburylaw.com.

SEMINAR LOCATION AND TIME

The seminar will be on March 18, 2010, at the Ethan Allen Inn, 21 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury, Connecticut from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  These seminars are always well attended and space is limited.  If you wish to attend, or if others you know are interested in attending, to reserve space call us or send us an e-mail message ( rsl@danburylaw.com or  lsd@danburylaw.com) containing your name, number attending, telephone number and e-mail address.

Posted on 2/22/2010 by Richard S. Land, Member, Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC.

This entry was posted on February 22, 2010 at 2:50 am and is filed under Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, Seminar Announcement. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

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