Law Commons^™

Assisted Reproductive Technology Poses New Estate-Planning Questions, Lindsey Paige Markus, Assistance From Evan D. Blewett

Evan Blewett

Due to the deferral of pregnancy, environmental issues and a host of medical factors, infertility rates are on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control estimated that as many as 12 percent of U.S. women and their partners experience infertility, and experts posit that this statistic continues to rise. The increased prevalence and effectiveness of Assisted Reproductive Technology, or ART, creates myriad legal issues for individuals and couples to consider.

Death, Taxes & Divorce: Why Every Ex-Spouse Needs A New Estate Plan, Lindsey Paige Markus, Assistance From Evan D. Blewett

Evan Blewett

No one can escape the inevitable — death and taxes. And unfortunately, according to the U.S. Census Bureau nearly 50 percent of all marriages will end in divorce. The divorce process is incredibly stressful. Clients are often so overwhelmed with emotional, financial and legal complexities, they fail to consider the estate planning implications of their separation and divorce. However, proactive planning can help ensure assets do not pass to a soon-to-be-ex or a former spouse.

Life Insurance Lessons From A ‘Sopranos’ Star, Lindsey Paige Markus, Assistance From Evan D. Blewett

Evan Blewett

James Gandolfini has been gracing the headlines over the past few months. Surprisingly, the publicity surrounding the late television star’s death is not focused on his award-winning performance in “The Sopranos” or a Hollywood scandal — but rather his estate planning. Tony Soprano certainly missed some extraordinary estate planning opportunities...

Do Inherited Iras Protect Assets Well?, Lindsey Paige Markus, Assistance From Evan D. Blewett

Evan Blewett

Whether a client has a complex or simple estate plan, failure to properly address a retirement plan (IRA) beneficiary designation may cause havoc. Regardless of what a client’s estate plan may say, the beneficiary designation under the client’s IRA governs.

America Builds An Aristocracy, Ray Madoff

Ray D. Madoff

No abstract provided.

Separation, Custody, And Estate Planning Issues Relating To Companion Animals, Rebecca J. Huss

Rebecca J. Huss

This article first discusses the domestication of companion animals, including the impact of anthropomorphism and neoteny on how animals are viewed in U.S. society. Second, it reviews the current legal status of animals. Third, it considers the voluntary and involuntary separation of companion animals from their human families. Fourth, it examines custody issues in the context of the placement of animals after the divorce of the human family members. Finally, it analyzes estate planning issues relating to companion animals.

Comment On Tax Consequences On Wealth Accumulation And Transfers Of The Rich, Ray Madoff

Ray D. Madoff

Despite the recent downturn in the stock market, the 1990s boom and the shift to defined contribution plans mean that more individuals will have significant wealth upon retirement. How they use that wealth will determine not only their own well-being, but also the living standards of their children, the resources available to philanthropies, and the level of investment capital in the economy.

This volume explores the reasons why people save, how they decide to allocate their wealth once they retire, and how givers select their beneficiaries. It also assesses the extent to which the estate tax and annuitization of retirement …

Use Of Life Insurance In Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Planning, Michael Hussey, William Drennan, Michael Goldstein

Michael Hussey

No abstract provided.