On Saturday, July 9th, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter became the 28th player in major league baseball history to collect 3,000 base hits. He did so by hitting a solo home run to left field off David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays in a ballgame played at Yankee Stadium. The ball was collected by a fan seated in the bleachers, 23-year-old Christian Lopez. Once it was in his possession it was his legal property. Memorabilia is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it, so it is … [Read more...] about Jeter Baseball: The Tax Man Cometh
Law
The “Health Care” Debate
Speaking of health care…. We have to talk about this. Caution: some may be offended by the following. So, before you go forward, be aware that the content is strong. Some may not like it. If you’re open minded, want some facts and new ideas, tune in. Health care costs are spiraling out of control. We know there are problems with our current system. We’re told if they are left untended, the current system will bankrupt us. We hear there are 40 million uninsured people in the U.S. By the … [Read more...] about The “Health Care” Debate
How Sensible and Relief-Oriented ARE the Federal Estate Tax Legislative Proposals?
While attending a meeting of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, one of the presenters discussed the status of legislative proposals concerning estate tax. In a nutshell…. Today the estate tax exclusion is $3.5 million. As written, current law says the estate tax will be repealed in 2010 and revert back to a $1 million exemption in 2011. With 58 seats in the Senate (plus two Independents), a clear majority of 255 in the House and their party occupying the White House, no one in … [Read more...] about How Sensible and Relief-Oriented ARE the Federal Estate Tax Legislative Proposals?
Bad Behavior Can Ruin A Good Plan!
My clients tire of me telling them this. Yet, too often it seems a well designed estate plan goes awry. Here’s an example I picked up from a post by Lou Ann Anderson in a report she wrote. Pay attention to this. This concerns a large estate. That’s not the point. It happens to estates of all sizes. In New York City a trial is underway in which Anthony Marshall, son of New York socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor, and estate planning attorney Francis Morrissey, Jr., face charges of using … [Read more...] about Bad Behavior Can Ruin A Good Plan!