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What a difference a week makes. Last week the mention of “trig” merely brought back memories of a high school math class. Now “Trig” makes us think of the special child of Todd and Sarah Palin. Who among us didn’t laugh or at least smile when, on national TV, his sister Robin licked her palm and used it to smooth his hair. ...

Therefore, the most likely scenario for 2010 is that Congress will either offer an option for those who die in 2010 before the enactment of changes in the death tax or will make whatever change they finally agree on prospective only. Of course, the ability of the Congress to do nothing has to always be considered, so the $1 Million exemption may actually come back in 2011. ...

In 2001, the Congress adopted a 10-year plan for the death tax, also called the estate tax. It provided for each person's exemption to increase from $1 million in 2001 to $3.5 million in 2009, be unlimited in 2010, and return to $1 million in 2010. The highest tax rate for amounts in excess of the exemption is 45% in 2009 and will be 55% in 2011 under that law....

Polls show that the majority of Americans wrongly believe that Medicare will pay for their custodial care if they should need it....

Napierville, Illinios, estate planning attorney Richard W. Kuhn published the following incisive article in the September 16 edition of the Napierville Sun. It is very worthwhile reading for anyone in a blended family. ...

As I have noted before on this blog, true estate planning is about more than just planning how to pass on your financial wealth....