Congratulations to Attorney Richard E. Barnes on his book, “Estate Planning for Blended Families: Providing for Your Spouse and Children in a Second Marriage” (Nolo, $34.99). Mark Kanny of the TRIBUNE-REVIEW reviews the book: “A second marriage isn’t a just second marriage; given the complexities, it’s more like marriage squared, says author Richard E. Barnes.… Read More
How in the world can you get married accidentally? Read this story from the Des Moines Register click here. ” Iowa law recognizes so-called “common-law marriage.” In fact, the law already reads broadly, “A man or woman who was or is held out as the person’s spouse by a person by virtue of a common-law… Read More
Check out these weird will provisions: click here Hat Tip to The San Diego Estate Center
“Intellectual property” includes patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. This area of the law protects “ideas and works” against unauthorized use of this property by others. If you are an author, artist, or inventor, your creations may be your most valuable assets. You are probably aware that your need to protect your rights to your… Read More
A person who dies without a will dies intestate. Each state has a statute that specifies to whom the decedent’s property is distributed if there is no will. You can check out who would receive your property if you die without a will at Intestacy Calculators TM. This site and the calculators it contains were… Read More
Many people have wanted a Roth IRA, but didn’t meet the income limit guidelines. In 2010 this will no longer be an issue. Beginning in 2010, the income limits on Roth IRA conversions that have prevented taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of $100,000 or more to convert their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs are… Read More
The statistics for termination of marriages in the United states are pretty grim. The latest statistics claim roughly 50% of first marriages end in divorce. Second or third marriages have only about 20% of couples remaining happily married. On the dissolution of the marriage by divorce, there are a number of issues to be dealt… Read More
“Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog.” Lord Byron… Read More
Is your retirement plan invested in your employer’s company stock? If so, there is a tax strategy available to you that is often overlooked. Normally, all withdrawals from a retirement plan are taxed as ordinary income, at ordinary income tax rates. However, if you take distribution of your employer’s company stock from your retirement plan… Read More
Spencer Fiduciary Services offers trust and estate expertise to law firms and banks LANCASTER, PA – May 27 – BUSINESS WIRE – At a time when law firms are scaling back operations or completely dissolving, Pennsylvania-based trust and estates attorney Patti S. Spencer has taken the bold step of starting a new corporate entity. Spencer… Read More