Under the current federal tax code, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption for an individual is $12,920,000 and $25,840,000 for a married couple. However, unless legislative action is taken to extend these exemptions, decedents who pass away after January I, 2026, will have effectively half of the previous exemption amount estimated to be around...

An often overlooked component of an estate for the purpose of calculating estate tax are the death benefit of and cash value in a life insurance policy. Even though these benefits may go to a child or other third person designated as a beneficiary on your policy, you and your spouse should take the value...

The primary goal of estate planning is to assure the transfer of a decedent’s property to the beneficiaries of his choice at the smallest possible financial and emotional cost. During the course of a lifetime various types of property are accumulated and many personal relationships are developed. The twin foundations of all estate plans are...