It happens all the time:  A firearm or collection of firearms is passed down when the owner passes away.  Most gun owners do not realize that even if they provide for a transfer of their weapons upon death, their beneficiaries may be inadvertently violating the law upon taking possession. A well drafted Gun Trust can...Read More

The holidays are a time of merriment, thanksgiving and spending time with loved ones.  Often times the holiday season is the only chance to see family members who live a great distance away.  This year, while everyone is visiting, take the opportunity to talk with family about your Will, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and other estate planning...Read More

U.S. District Judge Richard Young has ruled that Indiana’s ban on gay marriage violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal-protection clause.  This ruling comes on the heels of rulings by Federal Courts across the country similarly striking down state bans on gay marriage.  It is expected that the Supreme Court will soon hear this issue. For more...Read More

President Obama recently released his 2015 budget proposal, which includes significant changes to estate and gift tax laws. After the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“ATRA”) was enacted, the Federal estate and gift tax rules were considered “permanent” for 2013 and beyond. For now, the proposed changes are simply part of the President’s wish-list,...Read More

Now that we have started a new year, many have set their new year’s resolutions.  Often these focus on short-term health, relationship, emotional, and spiritual goals.  However, 2014 is a great time to address a long-term financial goal: planning your estate affairs.  Sure, it’s easy to put it off for another day, but, unfortunately, we...Read More

The 2013 Indiana budget bill, which was signed by Governor Pence on May 8, 2013, included a provision repealing inheritance taxes in the State of Indiana.  The repeal is retroactively effective for individuals passing away on or after January 1, 2013. While inheritance taxes have been one important reason for people to consider estate planning,...Read More

On February 13, the Indiana Court of Appeals decided the case of First Merchants Bank, N.A. v. Tolley, 52D02-1012-EU-35.  In that case, the Court was faced with the question of whether actual notice given to an estate creditor satisfied the Indiana Code provision requiring the estate representative to provide notice to known creditors, thus triggering...Read More

Washington has avoided the fiscal cliff for the time being with the passing of the American Taxpayer Relief Act (“Act”).  The Act addresses several key estate planning issues.  With the passage of the Act, the unified federal estate and gift tax exemption will remain at $5,000,000 per person.  The Act also permanently increased the top...Read More

The threshold amount for federal estate and gift taxes is scheduled to change beginning January 1, 2013.  Unless Congress enacts further legislation the federal estate and gift tax exemption amount will be reduced to $1,000,000 per person ($2,000,000 for a married couple) from the current 2012 level of $5,120,000 per person ($10,240,000 for a married...Read More

Perhaps you’ve heard this phrase: “Sell the family farm.”  The Indiana legislature has just made that more likely. A common estate planning technique is for mom and dad to “leave the family farm” in separate, equal shares to their children, who can then sell their shares to another or pass them to their children.  Of...Read More