Law Commons^™

The "Estate Planning" Interviewer, Thomas L. Shaffer

Thomas L. Shaffer

Professor Shaffer's article The "Estate Planning" Interviewer is the Introduction: Part II, in J.K. Lasser's Estate Tax Techniques on pages INT-25 to INT-51

Mor[T]Ality And Identity: Wills, Narratives, And Cherished Possessions, Deborah S. Gordon

Deborah S Gordon

The Planning And Drafting Of Wills, Thomas Shaffer, Carol Mooney, Amy Boettcher

Thomas L. Shaffer

This text, prepared by recognized experts in the field, addresses questions and issues that arise during the drafting of wills and trusts, particularly by couples. In addition, the authors offer insightful commentary. Representative chapters include Planning Together, Rebuilding Together, Non-Estate Planning, and Planning for Disability.

The Planning And Drafting Of Wills & Trusts, Thomas Shaffer

Thomas L. Shaffer

No abstract provided.

Contemporary Trusts And Estates: An Experiential Approach (2nd Ed)., Susan Gary, Jerome Borison, Naomi Cahn, Paula Monopoli

Paula A Monopoli

Contemporary Trusts and Estates: An Experiential Approach uses cases and statutory materials, along with exercises and problems, to integrate legal analysis and practice skills. Consistent with the Carnegie Report‘s call for more practice skills, it includes exercises in document drafting, role-playing, and letter writing to clients.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Mediation In Probate, Trust, And Guardianship Matters , Mary F. Radford

Mary F. Radford

Mediation is the ADR process by which a neutral third party works with disputants to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Mediation is arguably the oldest and most popular ADR technique in use today. Part I of this essay discusses the commonly accepted advantages of mediation as an alternative to litigation, and, in some instances, questions whether those advantages become disadvantages in the context of probate, trust, and guardianship cases. Part II examines the use of mediation as a component of the actual estate planning process rather than as an alternative to litigation.

Contemporary Trusts And Estates - An Experiential Approach, Jerome Borison, Naomi R. Cahn, Susan N. Gary, Paula A. Monopoli

Paula A Monopoli

In this essay in a special issue dedicated to teaching trusts and estates, the co-authors of Contemporary Trusts & Estates: An Experiential Approach (2d. ed. Aspen 2014) reflect on how the teaching of trusts and estates can integrate policy, practice, doctrine, and centuries of tradition. They describe the genesis of their problem-based casebook and the influence of the Carnegie Report on their choice of pedagogic framework. Each of the co-authors embraced the fundamental principles advocated by the Carnegie Report, which counsels that legal education should integrate “theoretical and practical legal knowledge and professional identity.” This essay goes on to outline …

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.

Estate Planning Games, Thomas Shaffer

Thomas L. Shaffer

No abstract provided.

Will Interviews, Young Family Clients And The Psychology Of Testation, Thomas L. Shaffer

Thomas L. Shaffer

No abstract provided.

Nonestate Planning, Thomas F. Shaffer

Thomas L. Shaffer

No abstract provided.

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...

Protecting Those Who Need It Most: A Call For Change To The Tax Application Of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders When Placed Into Special Needs Trusts, Conor Francis Linehan

Conor Francis Linehan

This note calls for a change to the way the Internal Revenue Code is applied towards qualified domestic relations orders when used to fund or partially fund special needs trusts, specifically irrevocable (d)(4)(B) trusts created under § 1396p.

The current status of the law is that an individual can roll over a qualified domestic relations order into a new retirement account in a tax-free transfer. If an individual elects to not roll over into a new retirement fund, some additional exemptions to various early termination penalties and lump sum payments have already been carved out of the Code.

This note …

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.

Book Review -- Immortality And The Law, By Ray D. Madoff, Bruce G. Berner

Bruce G. Berner

No abstract provided.

Contemporary Approaches To Trusts And Estates, Susan Gary, Jerome Borison, Naomi Cahn, Paula Monopoli

Paula A Monopoli

This book uses cases and statutory materials along with exercises and problems to integrate legal analysis and practice skills. The book can be used in a three- or four-credit course with or without the exercises, and sample syllabi are included in the Teacher’s Manual.

Contemporary Approaches To Trusts And Estates, Susan N. Gary, Jerome Borison, Naomi R. Cahn, Paula A. Monopoli

Paula A Monopoli

This book uses cases and statutory materials along with exercises and problems to integrate legal analysis and practice skills. The book can be used in a three- or four-credit course with or without the exercises, and sample syllabi are included in the Teacher’s Manual.

The Estate Planning Perils Of 2010 And Beyond, Brett T. Bradford

Brett T. Bradford

This paper explores the confusion surrounding the repeal of the federal estate tax for the year 2010. The Economic Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act gradually scaled down the federal estate tax and eventually repealed the tax in 2010. The Act has a sunset provision that would return the tax to a much higher rate than has been seen in recent times. This paper explores the history, intent and purpose of federal estate taxes; the intent and purpose behind the repeal in EGTRAA; and what attempts congress has made to fix the mess.

Gay And Lesbian Elders: Estate Planning And End-Of-Life Decisionmaking, Nancy J. Knauer

Nancy J. Knauer

This Article addresses the three areas of core concern for gay and lesbian elders -- chosen family, financial insecurity, and anti-gay bias in the context of estate planning. The first section provides an overview of the current generation of gay and lesbian elders, including a summary of pre-Stonewall history and existing demographic information. The second section outlines the challenges associated with drafting an estate plan that favors chosen family over next of kin. The third section engages the topic of financial insecurity, discussing various benefits and government programs, such as social security and Medicaid planning. The fourth and final section …

Ohio Trust Code Update: Recent Developments, Alan Newman

Alan Newman

This article is based on the author’s presentations at the 20th Annual Estate Planning Conference on Wealth Transfer in Columbus on June 26, 2009.

Since its enactment in 2006, effective January 1, 2007, the Ohio Trust Code (“OTC”) has been amended, a number of cases have been decided under it, and a variety of issues related to or raised by it have been identified. This article will review those developments.

Copyright Acknowledgment: This material is reprinted from the Probate Law Journal of Ohio with permission of Thomson Reuters. Copyright permission is on file.

Shoemaker V. Gindlesberger: The Lack Of Privity Defense Survives, But Just Barely, Alan Newman

Alan Newman

In Shoemaker v. Gindlesberger, decided in May of this year, the Ohio Supreme Court held that: “A beneficiary of a decedent's will may not maintain a negligence action against an attorney for the preparation of a deed that results in increased tax liability for the estate.” In doing so, the Court approved and followed its 1987 decision in Simon v. Zipperstein. Under Zipperstein, an attorney who prepares a will for a client can not be liable in negligence to a third person the client intended to benefit under the will unless (i) the third person was in privity with the …

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

Michael Hussey

No abstract provided.

Public Benefits, Legal Services, And Estate Planning, John Capowski

John J. Capowski

No abstract provided.