Is a deed under seal which was signed under duress enforceable?

Additional Information: X hired Y to renovate his shop for a certain amount.  There is a contract between X and Y which specify which items will be renovated and how much will be paid. However halfway during the renovations, Y refused to finish the job unless X pays him an additional amount. At first X […]

Consider making large gifts before the end of 2010

It’s not for everyone, but certain people can save a lot of taxes by making large gifts to family members or others before the end of 2010, and paying a gift tax on the transfer. In general, you can give up to $13,000 to as many people as you like each year without having to […]

What if you want to give one child more than another?

There are many reasons you might want to leave more assets to one child than to another in your will. One child might have a greater need, or have been more loyal over the years, or have gone out of his or her way to be a caretaker.

Do your tax homework if you’re converting to a Roth IRA

A lot of people are converting their regular IRA or old 401(k) plan into a Roth IRA in 2010. That’s because Congress lifted a number of restrictions on these conversions this year. It also gave people who convert in 2010 a special one-time benefit: Rather than reporting the resulting income on their 2010 tax return, […]

Fall 2010 Newsletters

Employment Law Newsletter (PDF) Estate Planning Newsletter (PDF) Family Law Newsletter (PDF) Real Estate Newsletter (PDF)

How to give assets to your grandchildren (but keep control)

Many older people would like to make significant gifts to their grandchildren, in order to help them and in order to reduce the size of their own estate for tax purposes. But they also worry that the grandchildren won’t be able to handle large sums of money. The good news is that you can give […]

U.S. report questions continuing care retirement communities

A new U.S. government report warns that a number of “continuing care retirement communities” are facing financial problems, while regulation of these facilities is spotty. Continuing-care communities offer an entire continuum of care – from independent housing to assisted living to round-the-clock nursing services – in a single facility, with the goal of allowing residents […]

‘Senior move managers’ can make moving easier

Moving can be stressful for anyone, but it’s particularly stressful for seniors. On top of hiring movers, packing, and setting up a new home, there is the emotional toll of leaving a house the senior may have lived in for decades. If a move seems overwhelming, a “senior move manager” may be able to help.

Does your estate plan include your pets?

Have you considered your pets when planning your estate? If not, you should, according to the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization. “Since pets have shorter life spans, people don’t think to include them in their estate plans,” says Anne Culver, Director of Disaster Services for the Society. “But […]

Not paying attention to property taxes can be costly

Even if you have paid off your mortgage, you still have to keep on top of property taxes. Most people who have a mortgage don’t pay their property taxes directly. Instead, a little of each mortgage payment is put into an escrow account, and the lender pays the taxes from the funds in the account. […]