Jill Eshman Law's blog

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, signed into law by President Obama on January 2, 2013 means higher income taxes for some, but it also provided, for the first time in quite a while, certainty regarding the federal gift, estate and generation skipping transfer tax rules.  While the changes to the laws were made “permanent” as of December 31, 2012, the term “perman

Significant changes in the tax law are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2013, affecting everyone with a net worth of more than $1 million dollars.  

Right now the Federal Estate and Gift Tax law provides an exemption of $5 million dollars per person. This exemption according to the existing law expires in less than next 60 days. 

1. Make a Big List ~ Include immediate family and extended family, and friends who live in your community. 

2. Focus on Love ~ Who loves and knows your child?  Who would be willing to give of themselves if they were appointed guardian of your children, even if they have children of their own?

Now that the health care law has been declared constitutional, the remaining provisions will be going into effect.  One little known provision is a new 3.8% investment income surtax, also called the health care surtax or the Medicare tax; it will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

It's June! Time to start planning before the tax laws change in January.  Reuters published an article entitled "If you're a wealthy American who's planning to hire an estate or trust attorney later this year, here's a thought: Good luck.

Today's Wall Street Journal Article entitled "A New Look at Living Wills" questions whether a living will is worth having.  Signing a living will does provide some gu

Modern Estate Planning

My clients expect their estate planning will cause their property to go to whom they want, the way they want, when they want and that it will minimize the impact of taxes, professional fees and court costs.

With the $5.12 million per person exemption from federal estate tax ($10.24 million for married couples), most of the estate planning “talk” recently has been on the planning opportunities available to affluent families. However, the need for estate planning remains for everyone.

Resolving to get your legal affairs in order is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your family, wishes, and assets are protected.  While many people focus on getting organized for the New Year, myself included, estate planning is an equally important personal finance goal that should make every adult’s to do list.  In Idaho, especially in Ketchum and Sun Va