Author Archives: admin
Texas: Surety Not Liable for Counsel Fees in Excess of Bond
In the recent case of Colonial American Casualty and Surety Co. v. Scherer, — S.W.3d –, 2007 WL 135969 (2007), a Texas appellate court ruled that a surety issuing an administrator’s bond was not liable for attorney’s fees in excess … Continue reading
1031 Exchange Problems
http://www.montecitojournal.net/archive/13/8/783/ http://www.scbar.org/pdf/SCL/Sep01/tharpe.pdf
Wolves in Experts' Clothing
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill making it more difficult to engage in reverse mortgage scams. Under Senate Bill 1609, reverse mortgage applicants will be required to receive independent advice concerning the pros and cons of the loan … Continue reading
Probate Assets vs. Non Probate Assets
Post death transfers of assets in California roughly fall into two categories: probate transfers, and so-called “non probate” transfers. An example of an asset which would probably require some sort of probate administration (i.e., constituting a probate asset) would be … Continue reading
A Thoughtful Piece on Our Mortality
Professor Francine Lipman of Chapman University has written a touching essay entitled Celebrating Life (Chai) and Taxes: Lessons Learned (available in downloadable format) where she describes her experiences dealing with her mother’s illness and death, on both an emotional and … Continue reading
Lessons from Anna Nicole Smith: The Problem with Delaying Getting Your Financial House in Order
Believe it or not, there are some lessons in the death of Anna Nichole Smith, which occurred last week. In his blog, Professor Beyer gave a summary of what we currently know, and what we don’t know, regarding her (at … Continue reading
New Website
All are invited to see my new website, Stratton Planning.
Why I Prefer Home Visits
My personal preference is home visits. While I don’t mind (and, for me, it is certainly more convenient) meeting clients in the office, I find that home turf is where they feel the most comfortable. Also, while there, they have … Continue reading
Patenting Estate Tax Strategies?
One wonders about the thinking — The U.S. Patent Office has been permitting patents on legal strategies for tax avoidance. The New York Times chimes in against the practice: The broken American patent system has a knack for sanctioning the … Continue reading
Consider 529 Plans for College Savings
So-called 529 Plans for saving for college and higher education expenses is a great deal, and should be seriously considered even if you are of modest means — even if you feel that you have difficulty saving. Also, recent federal … Continue reading