With the economy improving, seasoned collectors are now watching the fine art estimates in New York’s upcoming auctions. Collecting art, a passion and hobby for many, is also a way to accumulate and transfer wealth for next generations. The disposition of art, however, should include careful planning with a trusted…
by Michael Ettinger, Esq. The year 2001 was a space odyssey in more ways than one. It was also the last time we faced Federal estate tax rates as high as 55%, and exempt amounts as low as one million dollars. Nevertheless, this appears to be what we are going…
Historically, charitable giving rises about one-third as fast as the stock market. While the stock market gains of 2010 remain slight (Dow is up 1.13% at the time of this writing), New York residents may still want to consider using the charitable remainder trust (CRT) in their estate planning. This…
by Michael Ettinger, Esq. “Elder Law Estate Planning” is a niche area of the law which combines the features of elder law and estate planning that pertain most to the needs of the middle class. Estate planning was originally for the wealthy few. Middle class families did not consider themselves…
by Michael Ettinger, Esq. Many clients are surprised to learn that the death proceeds of their life insurance are subject to federal estate taxation. They believe that life insurance escapes estate taxes and passes to their loved ones intact. This confusion probably began when the client was told that life…
by Michael Ettinger, Esq. Recently, a couple came in to see me. They were people of means, having accumulated an estate in excess of two million dollars. Sadly, the husband, a fine gentleman, had contracted an incurable form of cancer. They knew it was time for a review of their…
By Michael Ettinger, Esq. Reflecting on this comment made to us by a client recently, the following thoughts came to mind. What do we actually do at Ettinger Law Firm? All we do is save our clients a lot of time, many thousands of dollars and the not so petty…
by Michael Ettinger, Esq. Previously we wrote about the lawyer as co-trustee in the second marriage setting. The main concern there was to protect the share and the interests of the deceased spouse and their family. This was a situation ideally suited for the lawyer as trustee due to inadequate…
By Michael Ettinger, Esq. One of the situations that call for the lawyer to recommend himself as trustee is in second marriage planning. It is a firmly established legal principal that there is no ethical prohibition against the attorney recommending himself to act as a trustee on behalf of a…
By Michael Ettinger, Esq. So many clients are advised that they need a will. In fact, will planning is becoming obsolete for persons over sixty for many reasons. Instead of actually solving problems, wills often create them. First, they must be proven to be valid in a court proceeding, the…