Actually, the answer is yes. The Tax Court is an actual federal court and not, as some people think, affiliated with the IRS. At Tax Court, the IRS is a party to the matter just like the taxpayer. If you’ve got beef with the IRS, maybe you should head to…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Houston Families Should Monitor New Tax Proposals
What should you have expected to hear during the State of the Union address in January? Key proposals from the President include the following. President Obama addressed the country in his January State of the Union speech about key proposals he has for our government. Forbes recently detailed some of…
Florida Puts Focus on Elder Rights and Guardianship
This year, two legislators who pressed for reform in 2014 are back with new bills they believe have stronger chances of success, as the excesses possible within Florida's guardianship system become more widely known. A recent article in The Herald Tribune, titled “Legislation aims to curb abuses in guardianship system,”…
Houston Planners Should Note New Estate Tax Exemption
In 2015, only estates worth more than $5.43 million per individual would owe federal estate taxes if the estate owner dies this year. That's up from last year's $5.34 million estate tax exemption. (In addition, the federal lifetime gift tax exemption also rises to $5.43 million in 2015.) 2015 brings…
Seven Financial Tips for Houston Families
Here are seven things you can do this month to positively impact your finances all year. Want to start the New Year off right when it comes to your finances? The Las Vegas Review-Journal article, titled “7 ways to give your finances a facelift in January,”cites some things you can…
Rent or Sell Houston Home? Downsizing for Aging Parents
As the executor of [my mom's] estate, I'm trying to help her decide what to do with the house. Let another family member live in it who couldn't pay rent but could help with upkeep? Rent it out for market value? Or sell? If she hasn't already, an article in…
Four Rules to Know about 2015 Estate Taxes
Here are four rules you need to know about the estate tax for 2015. The estate tax exclusion is now $5.43 million. The federal estate tax applies only to those whose taxable estates exceed a certain amount. The U.S. has a unified gift and estate tax system, so if you…
Tips for Houston Families Caring for Aging Parents
Adult children who become caregivers often pay a steep price. However, with some smart strategies, you can avoid sabotaging your financial future. What can you do ahead of time to help ease the financial burden of caring for your aging parents? Look into potential tax breaks. As noted in a…
529 Plans and Tax Incentives for Houston Families
“We see that as a big driver for everyone – the opportunity to put your money into the market and get that appreciation and have all those earnings tax-free when you use them for qualified expenses at a university or trade school, or wherever your child or grandchild, or whoever it is you're…
Staying in Control of Your Houston Business
Many business owners fear losing control. Before they’re willing to address exit or estate planning options, they must first be assured of complete dominion over their business. So let’s look at how to lock in ownership. Are you worried about losing control of your business? A recent Forbes article, “Control…