New York Estate Planning Lawyer Blog

December 2, 2013

New Decision on Valuation of New York LLC for Estate Tax Purposes

Last month the United States tax court issues a decision in a case which caught the eye of many involved in estate planning matters. The main issues in the case, Tanenblatt v. Commission of Internal Revenue, was the value of a deceased individual’s interest in a limited liability company. As most know, estate taxes are based on the value of the total assets owned by an individual at the time of passing. Consequently, determining the exact value of items like a business interest are critical in determining the tax burden. As you might imagine, there is frequently disagreement between surviving family members and the IRS regarding the overall assessments.

LLC Value

The tax court opinion (viewed in full online here) explains how the case involves a family that received a notice of deficiency from the IRS, claiming that an additional $309,000 in federal estate taxes was due. The discord was caused by confusion over the value of the decedent’s interest in a New York LLC (the 37-41 East 18th Street Realty Co.). As the name implies, the LLC’s main asset was a building on 18th Street in New York City. In preparing their tax return, the family essentially determined the value of the building (using an income capitalization approach), added a few smaller assets, applied “net asset value” (discounts for various reasons), multiplied by the individual’s percent interest and determined the value of the share in the LLC — around $1 million.

November 27, 2013

Congressman on Future of Estate Tax

by Ettinger Law Firm

At the beginning of 2013, a federal compromise was reached which seemed to put to rest the uncertainty surrounding the estate tax. Based on the January law, the federal estate tax excludes property up to $5.25 million this year, with that figure set in the future and pegged for inflation. The top tax rate for assets over that amount is 40%, representing a slight increase from the previous level of 35%. In addition, the new law keeps transfers between spouses tax-free and makes “portability” permanent. Portability is the tool that allows one spouse to take advantage of the other spouse’s unused exemption.

Importantly for New York residents, all of those details apply only to the federal estate tax. There are still New York inheritance taxes to consider which take effect at a far lower level–$1 million.

The Future

November 26, 2013

The Pendergrass Estate and Control of a Legacy

by Ettinger Law Firm

The Times Standard reported on another high-profile estate battle brewing that touches on many common themes, including a divided family and conflicting claims about last wishes.

Legendary R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass is probably best known for his smash hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” Pendergrass dealt with various challenges throughout his life, including a serious car accident in 1982 that left him a quadriplegic. The accident required him to have around-the-clock care, but he survived and thrived until his death in early 2010.

Family Battle

November 22, 2013

WSJ on Last Minute Will Changes

by Ettinger Law Firm

A Will is far more likely to be challenged during probate if significant last-minute changes were made to the legal document. This is to be expected considering that the main causes for challenge–undue influence, lack of capacity, improper procedure–are far more likely to occur when an individual is older and nearing death.

But that does not mean that all Will changes should be avoided later in life. Often is is essential to make changes to reflect one true wishes and best protect assets. It is simply critical to made those changes carefully and with an eye toward the ways to minimizing the risk of a Will contest.

Act Prudently with Deathbed Changes

November 21, 2013

Inheritance Dispute: Family Claims IRS Overvalued Artwork

by Ettinger Law Firm

Estate tax rates at both the federal and state level are set by lawmakers, and there is little that any individual can do on thee law. However, residents can significantly alter their tax burden with smart estate planning–like prioritizing tax free transfers (to a spouse), using protected trusts, and more.

But there is also another aspect to the estate bill that is often overlooked–the appraisal. The tax burden is based on applying a tax rate to the value of an asset. But who decides the value? Actual laws which set the rates cannot account for this detail, and so disputes about appraisals are quite common, often with millions of dollars on the line.

Theoretically, the value of many different assets can be disputed. But in practical terms there are some types of property that are open to far more value uncertainty, often spurring challenge. Perhaps the most obvious example is that of high-end artwork. There may be significant disagreement about how much each piece of art is worth.

November 15, 2013

The Estate of New York Musician Lou Reed

by Ettinger Law Firm

Celebrity estate planning remains one of the most common ways that local residents are confronted with issues regarding wills, trusts, and other inheritance issues. As the old adage makes clear, the only certainties in life are death and taxes. It does not matter whether one is a billionaire, international celebrity, elementary school teacher, or anything in between. We will all face death and deal the the aftermath of a passing.

In that way, it is useful to take advantage of high-profile deaths as a way to again share information on the value of estate planning.

The most recent celebrity planning story to hit the headlines is that of famed musician Lou Reed. Reed died in late October in Southampton, New York following liver disease complications at the age of 71.

November 14, 2013

Does Dementia Affect the Validity of a Will?

by Ettinger Law Firm

If a family is dragged into a drawn-out court battle over an estate planning issue, chances are it is a “will contest.” This phrase refers colloquially to cases where one party claims that something is wrong with a will and that the legal document should be thrown out. It goes without saying that preventing this very scenario is exactly why you should talk with planning professionals as early as possible. An attorney can explain how alternative tools–like trusts–can be used to almost eliminate the risk of a will contest entirely. Alternatively, the lawyer can explain the common challenges to a will and the way to guard against them.

Guarding Against A Will Contest

Essentially, there are four main ways that a will may be rejected by a court following a challenge:

November 12, 2013

Ruling on NY Inheritance Case for Mother Who Drowned Children

by Ettinger Law Firm

Earlier this year we shared information on a controversial New York inheritance case that was soon to be decided. The issue revolved around a mother’s attempt to inherit part of her children’s estate, valued at around $350,000. Her three children died in 2008 after the mother herself drowned them.

Of course, it seems perverse that an individual who causes a death could then benefit from the tragedy via intestacy laws which would pass on assets. In this case, the estate itself was sizeable specifically because of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by two of the children’s fathers against Nassau County for alleged lapses in social worker care.

Should She Inherit?

November 8, 2013

Tips for Preventing Health Law Fraud in New York

by Ettinger Law Firm

In October of 2014, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, will finally come into effect. As a result, many across America (including seniors) will have access to more affordable healthcare options. However, with these benefits come a variety of considerations and issues that the elderly must be aware of.

In fact the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) has developed a list of advice for helping elderly New Yorkers avoid health law fraud, and also provides tips for navigating all of the health law changes that will occur once Obamacare comes into effect.

The Tips

November 7, 2013

Many Same-Sex Couples Still Need to Update Plans Post-DOMA

by Ettinger Law Firm

As we have mentioned many times before, in June of 2013, the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) allowed same sex married couples to receive the same federal benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. This landmark decision will have a significant impact on estate planning for same sex couples who possess significant assets. Luckily, these impacts are extremely positive and will finally provide for the equal treatment that same sex couples deserve. The Supreme Court’s decision in DOMA will have a variety of impacts, including greatly lowering the taxation rate for asset transfers between same sex spouses.

Even though the ruling came down months ago, many New York couples have yet to ensure their estate planning reflects the changes in the law. As a result, it it worth re-visiting the basics and remind same-sex couples to take time to update previous work.

DOMA Law