Many answers to questions from attorneys begin with, “It depends,” followed by a long list of rules, which themselves are followed by a longer list of exceptions. This is not one of those answers! Instead, the answer to whether you should add your child to the home deed is almost always, “Never.” There are many…
This is a part in a series of articles I have written on various types of irrevocable trusts. Understanding Bypass Trusts Prior to 2012, many married couples created joint trusts known as “A-B” trusts. The problem now is that these trusts may actually cause more harm than good. In this article, I discuss Bypass Trusts. Who…
This is a part in a series of articles I have written on various types of irrevocable trusts. It’s not the QTIP you’re thinking of! To better understand this concept, it’s advised that you first read my article about estate taxes and then my article on bypass trusts. The QTIP trust is a popularly-used strategy to…
This is a part in a series of articles I have written on various types of irrevocable trusts. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts Why set up an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT)? An irrevocable life insurance trust (referred to as an ILIT) is a type of irrevocable trust that typically is used to own life insurance policies…
Feeling in-SECURE? In January of this year, a new law came into effect known as the SECURE Act, which is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. You may have read politicians applaud the bill but be very weary — what Congress cloaked under the guise of “freebies” turns out to be nothing…
What is an Irrevocable Trust? Many people often ask me, “What’s an irrevocable trust?” Or some clients come ready to ask the follow-up question, “If an irrevocable trust means I cannot change it, why would anyone want to create one?” Let’s get one thing straight. No one wants a trust they can’t change. Rather, it’s…
When a Beneficiary Dies “When the RMS Titanic sank into the icy waters of the North Atlantic, one of the lesser-known problems it raised was how to handle the estates of married couples who refused to part as the ship went down. Several women chose to remain with their husbands on board the ship instead…
This is Part 1 in a two-part series about Transfer Taxes. In Part 2, I discuss what is the generation skipping transfer tax. Understanding the Estate and Gift Tax There are two types of federal taxes. The first, and more well-known one, is called income tax. The second type of tax is known as transfer taxes. …
This is Part 1 in a two-part series about LLCs. In Part 2, I cover how to setup an LLC to maximize asset protection. Why do People Create LLCs? If you own a rental property, it is strongly advised that you create an LLC. I’m going to give you 3 reasons why, but before that…
Why are some estate plans more expensive than others? If this is your first time doing an estate plan, one question you are probably asking yourself is, “How much is a trust going to cost?” This is a reasonable question to ask. But it should not be the only question you ask. Instead, you should…
PROP 19: REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES BEFORE FEBRUARY 16TH! Proposition 19 will affect each and every person who owns a property, whether it’s a primary residence, a vacation home, a rental property, or a commercial property. According to the new law, we have a limited window to take action in order to lock in our property taxes under the old…
Bridge Law LLP partner, Simon Khinda, has been following The CARES Act carefully since new information is being made available daily and every few hours. This video explains the latest updates on the Payment Protection Program as of April 3rd, 2020
Bridge Law LLP partner, Simon Khinda, explains The CARES Act regarding SBA Loans and Loan Forgiveness.
Many concerned businesses, contractors and consumers have contacted us regarding their rights and obligations including cancelling contracts, and specifically with regards to Force Majeure in light of COVID-19.
Bridge Law LLP partner, Simon Khinda, explains how COVID-19 affects rental obligations and the eviction process.
Important Update for Landlords and Tenants In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic cities, and counties are taking steps to minimize the impact on tenants, including placing moratoriums on evictions, holds on shutting off utilities due to nonpayment, and prohibiting late rent fees. The federal government has suspended evictions and foreclosures in public housing until…
A New Era of Estate Planning in the Age of Covid-19 The spread of Covid-19 has caused a huge spike in the number of people looking to get their estate planning done immediately. This is not surprising given the number of people who have not done their estate plans yet. But what may be spreading…
‘It isn’t possible to love and part.’ In my last personal note from May 2019, I spoke of the Big Bad Wolf: “Here’s the thing. We don’t know when the Big Bad Wolf will come to our doorstep, but we all know that he will come one day. And when he does, we also know…
Business owners face many challenges today and as a result, are always looking for ways to cut down and control as many costs as possible. However, when it comes to making decisions concerning employees, it can be tempting to make risky choices about how you should classify your workers. Whether in regard to a new…
A trustee is a party responsible for the management, investment, and distribution of the property or assets within a trust. This will involve the oversight of trust administration, accounting, taxes, serving beneficiaries, and so on – in a manner that is impartial and transparent. It is encouraged to all our clients to select a professional…
We want you to feel comfortable discussing your legal issue with us, so we offer a free consultation to learn about your problem. Contact us today to setup a time to come in and talk with our team.