Defined contribution retirement plans such as IRA’s and 401(k) plans are governed under special, and sometimes complicated, tax rules.  Not being aware of these special rules can force you or your beneficiaries to pay taxes at an accelerated rate and miss out on the special investment opportunities that are the key features to these kinds […]

The study of law can sometimes be methodical and tedious.  Occasionally it is a nice change of pace to take a tongue-in-cheek look at some of the more colorful laws that are on the books in various places.  When it comes to unusual laws, Clint Eastwood’s crusade against Carmel’s now repealed law forbidding the eating […]

Most comprehensive estate plans center around a revocable living trust.  A key aspect of a trust is to make sure your assets are titled to the trust.  If your assets are not properly titled to your trust, your entire estate planning can be in jeopardy, subjecting your estate to unnecessary tax, delay, expense, exposure to […]

You can have the best plan in the world, but if it is not executed correctly, it will fail. This is literally true when it comes to following the proper procedures for signing estate planning documents and thus making them legally valid. To make matters more complicated, each specific type of estate planning document has […]

Prominent figures such as musicians, athletes, and actors have many talents and characteristics that are to be admired and enjoyed. There is no better live singer than Gwen Stefani. Witnessing Aaron Rodgers throw a perfect pass at legendary Lambeau Field is awe-inspiring. Tina Fey’s wit and dry sense of humor is insightful. However, many celebrities […]

To paraphrase country music singer Allan Jackson, my first love was an “older woman.” I was sixteen and she was forty-two. Despite the age difference, she was the prettiest I had ever seen. Although my parents were skeptical at first, they became very supportive of our relationship. My friends had their doubts at first as […]

Local attorney Kyle A. Krasa was recently named by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.”  From the Super Lawyers website (www.superlawyers.com): “Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent […]

As with all professional relationships, it is paramount that there be a good fit between an attorney and a client.  Personalities, expectations, and dynamics play an important role in determining whether the engagement is a success.  My last issue examined the “ideal client.”  This issue examines the “ideal attorney.” A popular discount clothing store has […]

As with all professional relationships, it is paramount that there be a good fit between an attorney and a client.  Personalities, expectations, and dynamics play an important role in determining whether the engagement is a success.  This “Part One” of a two-part series examines the “ideal client.”  Next issue’s “Part Two” will examine the “ideal […]

A trust is the most common estate planning document.  Many clients inquire as to whether their trusts are required to file their own tax returns.  As with all legal answers, “it depends.”  The nature and structure of a trust determines whether it is required to file a tax return.  All trusts feature the same three […]