Each May, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys observes National Elder Law Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the legal, financial, and personal challenges that come with aging.

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From the vacatur of FinCEN’s residential real estate rule, an increase in the age of eligibility for ABLE accounts, a new proposed rule for classifying independent contractors, and new cases addressing AI’s impact on attorney-client and work product privileges, read on to learn how these developments may impact your practice. 

Written by Michael T. Clear, JD, and Erin D. Nicholls, JD

Trustees occupy a pivotal role at the intersection of tax planning, wealth management, and family governance. Entrusted with the power to make distributions, oversee investments, and shape decisions that influence generations, trustees wield considerable influence. With such authority, however, comes the potential for problems: When a trustee becomes ineffective, conflicted, or unresponsive, the orderly administration of the trust suffers, and the potential for a dispute rises—sometimes resulting in protracted, costly litigation. 

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From court decisions rejecting a settlement proposal in a trust dispute, denying Medicaid benefits because the applicant did not apply for retirement benefits, and considering the enforceability of noncompetition covenants, read on to learn how these developments may impact your practice.

Written by Kevin Urbatsch, JD, and Evelyn Wynn, JD

Divorce is always complex, but when it involves a spouse or child with disabilities who receives means-tested public benefits, the stakes become even higher. Property settlements, spousal support, and child support can inadvertently disqualify beneficiaries from critical programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

While word-of-mouth recommendations from clients and friends can be a valuable source of new business, they do not always offer predictable growth, and they are out of your control. However, building a strong referral network and investing in reliable professional relationships are within your control and can help ensure sustainable growth and the continued success of your estate planning practice. 

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From court decisions imposing transferee liability for unpaid estate tax on an executor-beneficiary and impacting the definition of a limited partner for self-employment tax purposes to new statutes protecting the elderly and other vulnerable individuals and cases reflecting the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession, read on to learn how these developments may impact your practice.

Written by Ryan Snow, JD, MBA

As an estate planning attorney, you are familiar with the complexities of wealth transfer. When your clients are small business owners, their business is often their most significant asset, but the company’s illiquidity and operational demands can present unique challenges. Business succession and exit planning, while distinct from traditional estate planning, are crucial for ensuring the smooth transition and continued value of this critical asset.

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From the Internal Revenue Service’s safe harbor provision for the staking of digital assets held in a trust to a ruling denying a private right of action under the Medicaid Act and a decision upholding the constitutionality of the Corporate Transparency Act, read on to learn how these decisions may impact your practice.

As a family law attorney, you guide clients through one of life’s most challenging transitions: divorce. The finalization of a divorce decree often brings clients a sense of closure while marking the beginning of a new chapter—one that has a profound impact on their financial future, family, and legacy. This is where estate planning becomes not just beneficial but essential and a natural extension of your services.

As we prepare to welcome the new year, it is an ideal opportunity to reflect on your estate planning practice. Take a moment to evaluate the successes and challenges of the past year and identify any goals you did not meet. Now is the time to set new goals for your practice and yourself.

Written by Sarah Barton, JD

A fiduciary duty is defined as “a duty to act with the highest degree of honesty and loyalty toward another person and in the best interests of the other person (such as the duty that one partner owes to another).”The law governing a limited liability company (LLC) is similar to that governing a corporation or partnership—the LLC’s older siblings in the family of business entities—in imposing fiduciary duties; however, for LLCs, fiduciary duties may be modified by contract to the extent permitted under state law.

For estate planning attorneys with a heavy workload and a demanding schedule, your focus is on client matters and ensuring the highest standard of service. However, if you want meaningful growth and long-term stability, dedicating time to a strategic, intentional marketing plan is imperative.

The past year has been full of significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. To ensure that you stay informed of these legal changes, we have highlighted some of the year’s most noteworthy developments and discussed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practices, including

• enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),
• denial of a deceased spouse unused exclusion (DSUE) claim,
• holding a nursing facility has standing to challenge a resident’s adverse Medicaid eligibility decision,
• issuance of an interim final rule exempting US persons and domestic companies from Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) reporting requirements, and more!

Trust is the cornerstone of every successful client relationship. For many established estate planning practices, word-of-mouth referrals play a significant role in building that trust. While these types of referrals remain a vital source of business, the modern client’s journey includes a critical next step. 

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From the Internal Revenue Service’s release of 2026 transfer tax exemption amounts and proposed rule regarding the tax deduction for qualified tips, to a ruling that a special needs trust is a countable resource, read on to learn how these decisions may impact your practice.

Written by Zach Bloxham, J.D

Medicaid pays for millions of Americans to receive long-term care and support. While many know that a Medicaid applicant must meet strict means-tested financial eligibility requirements to secure benefits, many more are unaware that these benefits are often granted with strings attached in the form of federally authorized liens.

Written by Sagar Jariwala, JD, LLM, and Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics)

Gift tax, estate tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax, and property tax: estate planners must consider all these types of taxes when creating a plan for a client’s assets.

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. A state supreme court declined to apply a savings statute to extend the time to initiate a probate proceeding; another state supreme court ruled that signing an arbitration agreement to gain admission to a nursing home is not a healthcare decision; and the FTC dismissed its appeals to implement its final rule banning noncompete agreements. Read on to learn how these decisions may impact your practice.

Written by Jill Roamer, JD

A special needs trust (SNT) is a planning tool used to provide funds for a beneficiary’s care without jeopardizing their eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The SNT is designed to optimize the beneficiary’s quality of life, and importantly, a third-party SNT can qualify as a qualified disability trust (QDisT) to obtain better taxation treatment if certain requirements are met.

From a case upholding the validity of a Delaware domestic asset protection trust to rulings that a trust formed under a springing power of attorney is void and the structure of the National Labor Relations Board is likely unconstitutional, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

Written by Gregory Monday, JD

When you assist a family business owner with their estate planning, you should review with them the various potential provisions that they could include in governing documents and owners’ agreements to protect the interests of minority owners in the next generation. Co-ownership of a family business by siblings, cousins, and other relations can benefit both the family and the business, but those benefits might not be realized if the rights of the minority owners are not specified in thoughtful and well-drafted governing documents and owners’ agreements.

From the Tax Court’s denial of an estate’s DSUE claim to the equitable rescission of a grantor-support agreement and the vacatur of the Federal Trade Commission’s click-to-cancel rule, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

Written by Jessica Spenik, JD

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is rapidly expanding across the globe, as demonstrated by media coverage, corporate announcements, advertising campaigns, increased adoption of AI in consumer products, growing research and development investments, and widespread integration of AI into educational and organizational systems. It is no secret to those in the legal field that generative AI is having a massive impact on our industry, evidenced by the large number of continuing legal education offerings and conferences centered on this fast-growing technology. 

Written by Samantha Anderson, JD, and Kelly Zerillo, JD

Estate planners may encounter clients with tangible assets that present unique and sometimes difficult planning issues. These items range from the unusual to the downright dangerous. This article provides a broad overview of difficult tangibles, including restricted materials and firearms. Although this article is not comprehensive, it highlights some of the necessary tools and analyses to deploy when confronted with such items. 

From the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to US Supreme Court decisions addressing disability discrimination claims for retirees and the standard applicable to majority-group plaintiffs alleging employment discrimination, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

From the US House of Representative’s passage of a new tax bill to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s issuance of new spousal impoverishment standards and the Department of Labor’s decision not to apply its 2024 final rule on worker classification, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

To ensure that you stay informed of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

Written by Griffin Bridgers, JD, LLM

Gift tax can be a complex subject, even for advanced practitioners. Confusion often reigns supreme when balancing reporting obligations on Form 709, using lifetime gift tax exemptions and annual exclusions, and determining gift tax values. 

The gift tax annual exclusion allows a donor to give up to $19,000 per recipient in 2025. This exclusion can be doubled for married couples through joint gifts or the gift-splitting election. Yet, this annual exclusion does not apply to all gifts. Per Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 2503(b), this annual exclusion is not available for gifts of “future interests.” Future interests are contrasted with “present interests” in Treas. Reg. § 25.2503-3(b), under which present interests are defined as any “unrestricted right to the immediate use, possession, or enjoyment of property or the income from property.” This requirement of immediate possession or enjoyment is a central focus of this article, as it is a prerequisite to creating a present interest that qualifies for the gift tax annual exclusion.

From a taxpayer win involving an intrafamily transfer to the vacating of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) final rule and a prohibition on contractual limitations of damages for intentional torts, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

To ensure that you stay informed of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your practice.

Written by Jill Roamer, JD

Chances are that individuals over the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point in their golden years. In fact, 70 percent of seniors will. Part of elder law is helping clients plan for the possibility of requiring long-term care; elder law planning provides clients with options for funding such care.

Medicaid is the only public benefits program that pays for long-term care for non-Veterans. Medicare will only pay for brief nursing home stays under limited circumstances. Before the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, qualifying for long-term care Medicaid benefits was relatively easy. However, since that law became effective, the rules regarding Medicaid eligibility have become much stricter. 

Written by Sagar Jariwala, JD, LLM

A trust instrument may give a trustee different levels of powers over distributions. A trustee can have full discretion over distributions, meaning that the trustee can decide if distributions should be made, when distributions should be made, and what amount of distributions should be made to a beneficiary. Alternatively, a trust instrument can require a trustee to make distributions. For example, the trust may require distributions of all income at least annually or of required minimum distributions received from a retirement account, or the trust may grant a beneficiary a withdrawal right that the beneficiary exercises.

From the tax treatment of a forfeited individual retirement account (IRA) to a US Supreme Court decision affecting Veterans’ disability claims and FinCEN’s issuance of an interim final rule limiting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

Written by Jayna M. Voss, JD

High-net-wealth individuals are turning to dynasty trusts, not only to avoid federal estate taxes but also to protect assets from general creditors and spendthrift heirs. Even those who do not have a taxable estate should consider a dynasty trust to preserve and grow wealth while ensuring that their loved ones are protected. 

Many people are aware of the advantages of conventional trusts and incorporate them into their estate planning, but they often design the trusts so that assets pass outright to their children when those children attain certain ages or milestones. When a conventional trust distributes assets outright to the beneficiary, the distributed assets are includible in the beneficiary’s estate and possibly subject to estate tax when the beneficiary dies. If, after an outright distribution, the beneficiary goes through a divorce or has other creditors, those assets could be at risk. Family assets that are distributed to beneficiaries with no restrictions are often depleted by the third generation due to mismanagement or spendthrift heirs.

From new legislative proposals relating to the federal estate tax to the use of vehicle purchases as a Medicaid spend-down strategy and the Treasury Department’s suspension of the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) against US citizens and companies, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

Estate planning is a practice area that requires strong interpersonal skills, careful attention to detail, and intentional planning. Women who succeed in this industry often develop habits that set them apart as trusted advisors and thought leaders. Whether you are just starting in this practice area or are looking to elevate your practice, cultivating these habits can make a significant difference in your success and job satisfaction. Here are five habits of highly successful women in estate planning:

Written by Yvonne Eckert, JD

Regardless of how long you have been in practice, establishing a thoughtful pricing structure and regularly revisiting it are necessary evils. Although many estate planning attorneys struggle with developing a framework to evaluate pricing structures and implementing a regular schedule to review prices, once you have established your pricing, you can rest assured that it will continue to accurately reflect the value of your services and adequately compensate you for your hard work.

From a Florida case addressing homestead protection to the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act and Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) updates, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law. 

Updated Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 3 PM ET

From the IRS’s proposed regulations relating to corporate transactions qualifying for nonrecognition of gain to simplified Supplemental Security Income applications and a new court ruling allowing enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

Written by Matthew J. Leonard and Ruth A. Mattson

World travelers are always looking for keepsakes to stay connected to foreign lands. A prized memento such as a local handicraft or a cap from a favorite destination can bring joy with no government involvement beyond a sales tax. However, travelers sometimes want something more permanent, such as a home in their foreign paradise. In contrast to a trinket, a beach condo in Mexico or a farm in New Zealand remains in that country, governed by local law even when it is owned by a foreign person. The mix of laws that regulate how foreigners can own and use real property may surprise purchasers. To ensure that their purchase does not become a cautionary tale, purchasers should coordinate with US and foreign advisors before and after the transaction.

From the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) issuance of private letter rulings regarding extensions and trust modifications to a nationwide injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) deadlines and newly released Medicaid and Veterans and Survivors Pension figures, we have recently seen significant legal developments.

From Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and court decisions that certain trust modifications may result in gift tax liability to a nationwide injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and a Social Security Administration (SSA) final rule omitting food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations, 2024 was full of significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some of the most noteworthy developments of the year and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Fran-Marie Silveri, JD

As estate planning attorneys, our paramount responsibility is to guide clients through the intricate terrain of planning for incapacity and death. Client representation always poses specific ethical and practical challenges, such as properly addressing their goals and needs, checking for conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality (or using confidentiality waivers where appropriate). When it comes to representing married couples jointly, the considerations and complexities multiply, necessitating a more nuanced approach that addresses both individual and joint interests. This article delves into some of the issues to consider throughout all phases of the relationship when representing married clients.

Written by Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics) on August 8, 2024

Exemption amounts for gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes are at historically high levels as of the writing of this article. However, absent congressional action, these exemptions are scheduled to revert to pre-2017 levels ($5 million adjusted for inflation) as of January 1, 2026, under the terms of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). This is what is referred to as the coming “sunset.” Even if this dramatic decrease occurs as scheduled, the vast majority of American taxpayers are still likely to have estates below federally taxable thresholds. However, the sunset is likely to impact higher-net-worth clients, who may wish to take action now to preserve the benefits of the historically high exemptions. 

From the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) release of 2025 tax inflation adjustments to approaching Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) deadlines and a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule establishing an appeals process for Medicare beneficiaries, we have recently seen significant legal developments.

To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Zach Bloxham, JD

Assisting Veterans and their spouses in planning for long-term care is one of the most professionally rewarding and emotionally satisfying experiences the practice of law can provide. This article introduces the five tests a claimant must meet to attain VA eligibility.

By Kevin Urbatsch, Esq., and Jessica Jones, Esq.

A third-party special needs trust (SNT), also called a third-party supplemental needs trust, is commonly utilized to hold and administer an inheritance for a person with a disability. It can also facilitate gifts or donations to the beneficiary with a disability. It is important to note that creating an SNT is only one part of a plan for a person with a disability. Special needs planning requires a comprehensive approach to address all the needs a person with a disability requires. The authors often discuss with parents that a special needs plan is designed to create a strategy to replace everything they do for their loved ones with special needs. This generally involves planning to ensure that there is someone to make medical or personal care decisions for the loved one with a disability, a suitable living arrangement (whether private, group home, or skilled nursing), a sustainable caregiving arrangement, appropriate transportation, opportunities for social interactions, proper advocacy, and enforceable protection from predators. This article will focus on the third-party SNT, a vital element of a comprehensive special needs plan. 

From a new final regulation on basis consistency to Corporate Transparency Act updates and a federal court ruling regarding the review required to determine medical necessity under the Medicaid Act, we have recently seen significant legal developments. 

To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Edward D. Brown, JD, LLM, CPA; Andrew Bechel, JD, LLM; and Eric Kaplan, JD

Much has been written about asset protection strategies, such as offshore trusts, limited liability companies (LLCs), insurance, and exemption planning. The focus of this article is to identify which of those strategies are best suited to high-risk professionals, whose risk exposure derives from the provision of professional services (as opposed to risky investments or predators who target the megawealthy). Some of the strategies discussed below reflect ways to reduce a professional’s financial profile and accordingly, the size of the targets on their backs.

From a new final rule on nonfinanced real estate transfers to the suspension of an attorney whose actions left a client ineligible for Medicaid and a nationwide injunction on the enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s Non-Compete Rule, we have recently seen significant legal developments.

To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Jennifer L. Villier, JD

Newly available generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to dramatically ease some of the more tedious and time-consuming aspects of practicing law. However, these tools can also cause trouble for the lawyers who use them. How will AI and the law co-evolve? It is a question that members of the legal profession are now grappling with as federal and state courts and state bars around the country (indeed, around the globe) race to formulate rules and guidelines for using AI in the practice of law.

By Zach Bloxham, JD, and Stefanie Dion Jones

Various public benefit programs are available to individuals living with disabilities and other challenges. These programs have their fair share of acronyms, which can confuse those relatively new to elder law or special needs planning—be they attorneys, beneficiaries, or loved ones. 

This primer offers basic information about some common types of public benefits and can serve as an at-a-glance glossary of acronyms commonly used within the practice.

From a new SECURE final rule on required minimum distributions to new developments regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s Non-Compete Rule, we have recently seen significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Joseph "AJ" Yolofsky

Welcome to our deep dive into the fascinating world of business succession planning! As an estate planning attorney, you might be surprised to discover that many of the skills and strategies you already use can seamlessly transition into this vital area. Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy, accounting for 46 percent of the private sector workforce and contributing 43.5 percent of the gross domestic product. Given their importance, ensuring these businesses thrive beyond their current ownership is crucial.

By Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics)

Young people who have recently reached the age of majority may not yet be established financially or professionally, and many may be immature and naive. In the eyes of the law, however, they are considered adults. Adulthood, often marked by the 18th birthday, can represent a huge shift in family dynamics. It is a significant milestone in the social and emotional life of a family because adulthood represents independence. It is often the age when children move away from home to pursue postsecondary education (i.e., anything after high school) or live apart from their families for the first time. Departure for college and/or reaching the age of majority are also legally significant milestones because when these events occur in the lives of young adults, they become responsible for many of their own financial and healthcare decisions. Young adults who have reached the age of majority are protected by various privacy laws in areas where parents or guardians were once responsible for making decisions for them and were granted open access to information. 

By Ryan Snow, JD

Effective estate planning often involves planning for the succession and transfer of a client’s business operations and business assets. Business planning becomes critically important when a large portion of the value of the client’s estate is derived from their ownership of a business. Estate planners may need to consider whether a transfer of a business interest is permitted, if obtaining the consent of the other business owners is required, or whether there are other legal constraints or obligations related to ownership of the business and its assets.

We have recently seen significant legal developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law, including the following: 

• The US Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the mandatory repatriation tax 
• The New York Appellate Division upheld the constitutionality of a minimum spending requirement for nursing homes 
• A federal court decided a preliminary injunction on enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s nationwide ban of noncompete agreements  

To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted these and other noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

Some attorneys decide to practice estate planning right after graduating from law school. Others practice in other areas, only to become curious about transitioning fully or partially into estate planning. Most attorneys who make this transition feel great satisfaction and little or no regret about making this career shift. There are many reasons why estate planning is such a rewarding practice area and many additional reasons why now could be the ideal time to make the switch.

From a US Supreme Court decision that proceeds of life insurance purchased by a closely-held corporation to redeem a deceased owner’s shares must be reflected in the fair market value of the corporation for estate tax purposes, to the Texas Supreme Court’s decision requiring prior occupancy for a home to be excluded from countable resources for Medicaid eligibility and a US Supreme Court case ruling that the Federal Arbitration Act requires a stay, not dismissal, of suits pending arbitration, we have recently seen significant legal developments.

By Donald P. DiCarlo Jr. and Matthew T. Lee

Much has been written recently about rising interest rates and the impact it can have on various wealth and tax planning strategies. For the closely held business owner who is interested in selling their business—which is often their most valuable and prized asset—it is important for advisors to understand how interest rates might affect the exit plan.

From a new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notice that extends relief for some beneficiaries of inherited individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to the release of a final rule by the Social Security Administration (SSA) omitting food from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in-kind support and maintenance calculations and a US Supreme Court case clarifying the harm that must be shown for employees to make a Title VII discrimination claim, we have recently seen significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

Potential elder law clients are also clients of accountants, financial planners, healthcare professionals, insurance agents, and even other attorneys. For that reason, other professionals are one of the best sources of good referrals. 

Speaking to referral sources is different from presenting directly to potential clients. You must thoroughly prepare to speak to other professionals because, unlike potential clients, other professionals likely have some background knowledge of elder law. At the same time, you will want potential referral sources to see you as the expert on elder law, so must talk like you are the expert.

By Lee Poskanzer

Can you hear it? A little-known, trillion-dollar problem is whispering in the background—a new and expanding challenge for trust and estate practitioners: how to handle digital property in the planning process. Today, the average internet user has over 240 online password-protected accounts, and 97 percent of American adults own smartphones, meaning that the “average American” is an internet user. That this is true of the average American adult (not just of young or technologically savvy people) is a big change that has happened over a relatively short period!

From a new proposed rule that would identify certain charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) transactions as listed transactions, to the introduction of new legislation that would increase Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) personal needs allowances, to new developments regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), we have recently seen significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

By Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics) and Jessica Olma

Since the 2009 launch of Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, crypto assets have rapidly gained popularity among investors. Despite their volatility and the well-publicized collapses of several crypto asset platforms during 2022—recall the infamous FTX scandal—crypto assets are here to stay. This is evidenced by the fact that worldwide, there are an estimated 100 million cryptocurrency wallets worth approximately $1.27 trillion (in October 2023).

Anyone can use cryptocurrency, including tech-savvy estate planning clients interested in new ways to diversify their investment portfolios. Therefore, estate planners must become well-informed about the important differences between crypto assets and other assets and adapt their practices to incorporate their clients’ crypto assets into their estate planning. 

From a new proposed rule that would require reports on nonfinanced transfers of residential real estate, to the reintroduction of the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act in the US House of Representatives and a federal district court ruling that the Corporate Transparency Act is unconstitutional, we have recently seen significant legal developments. To ensure that you stay abreast of these changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law practices.

Developments: On Friday, March 1, 2024, in National Small Bus. United v. Yellen, Judge Liles C. Burke of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled via memorandum opinion that the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)¹ , enacted in 2021, is unconstitutional because Congress lacks the authority to require companies to disclose personal stakeholder information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the criminal enforcement arm of the US Department of the Treasury. The National Small Business Association (NSBA), an Ohio nonprofit organization representing more than 65,000 businesses from all 50 states, and Issac Winkles, an NSBA member and owner of two small businesses, brought suit against the US Department of the Treasury and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, alleging that the mandatory disclosure requirements imposed by the CTA exceeded Congress’s authority under Article I of the US Constitution and violated the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments.   

By Mary E. Vandenack, JD, ACTEC, COLPM®, CAP®, Accredited Estate Planner® (Distinguished) Nominee

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generally defined as “the capacity of computers or other machines to exhibit or simulate intelligent behaviour; the field of study concerned with this.” While artificial intelligence has recently been in the forefront of the media due to the rapid evolution of new applications and use of the technology, the concept has been around for a long time.  

From an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) win in an individual retirement account (IRA) rollover contribution case involving James Caan, to increased contribution limits for ABLE accounts and updated guidance under the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder and special needs law, and business law.

To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

By Jill Roamer, JD

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is an almost 70 percent chance that your client will need some type of long-term care by the time they are sixty-five. That care might be provided as in-home help or at an assisted living or nursing home facility. As an elder law attorney, it is important that you discuss with your client the type of care they would prefer and create a plan to pay for it.

From an Internal Revenue Service memorandum regarding the modification of irrevocable grantor trusts, to a US Supreme Court dismissal of an ADA tester case and a new final rule regarding beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law.

To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

By Brian Andrew Tully, JD, CELA

A comprehensive estate plan should encompass, at a minimum, the client’s legal, financial, and incapacity concerns. I believe, however, that most of us focus more on the legal and financial aspects of estate planning than on incapacity concerns. The realities of aging require that we give our clients greater attention and guidance about their long-term healthcare needs. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that one in three seniors will die with cognitive decline resulting from Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia. The Family Caregiver Alliance reports that an additional one in three of us will have substantial long-term care needs, which means that we will need functional assistance with three or more activities of daily living.

From a Virginia federal district court’s determination that a judgment for attorney’s fees had priority over Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax liens, to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ issuance of a final rule requiring disclosure of ownership information for nursing facilities and a new Texas law providing charging order protection for single-member limited liability companies (LLCs), we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

The estate tax exemption amount has more than doubled since 2017. However, unless Congress takes further action, the exemption amount authorized by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will revert to its previous levels at the end of 2025. As an estate planning attorney, you can help your clients by employing certain estate planning strategies over the next two years before the sunset of the higher exemption amount. Keep reading to learn how your clients may be affected and how you may be able to assist them.

From the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) release of the 2024 lifetime exemption and annual gift exclusion amounts, to the Social Security Administration’s announcement of 2024 cost-of-living adjustments and a new final rule regarding the use of FinCEN identifiers under the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

More industries are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI), and the legal field is no exception. News breaks regularly about new tools that utilize and incorporate AI technology. The outer limits of a machine’s ability to think and act on its own are unknown—AI creators have even expressed fears of its ultimate capabilities. 

The drawbacks of generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Jasper for the legal industry in particular include their inability to consider all necessary information when crafting legal documents and their collection and storage of private data, which could breach client confidentiality. As we recently showed in a case study, AI solutions are also significantly limited in their abilities to accurately draft estate planning documents. 

Despite these drawbacks, AI tools may offer some solutions to help legal professionals streamline their processes. Keep reading to learn how AI can help improve your productivity.

Millions of small businesses will need to file electronic reports to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) starting in 2024. While existing businesses will have the entire year to follow the federal government’s new requirements, startup businesses will have to report their identities and officers much sooner. Keep reading to learn more about which businesses will be affected by the CTA and how Business Docx® has been improved to help your clients file their reports.

From the inclusion of property interests in a marital estate that are gifted during a marriage to a divorcing spouse, to a determination of the scope of immunity provided to nursing homes under Connecticut’s COVID-19 executive order and a new proposed rule that would extend the deadline for some entities to report beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

By Nicole Ramos Takemoto, JD

In a society that increasingly embraces diverse relationships, unmarried couples are a significant and growing demographic. As legal professionals, we understand that the legal rights and protections afforded to unmarried couples differ significantly from those granted to married couples. This article explores three interconnected topics within estate planning for unmarried couples: the impact of becoming registered domestic partners, tax considerations, and the importance of comprehensive estate planning. By understanding these issues and taking proactive steps, unmarried couples can protect their rights, minimize tax liabilities, and ensure that their wishes are upheld.

From the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) announcement of a two-year transition period for the SECURE 2.0 Act’s Roth catch-up contribution requirement to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC’s) first settlement against an employer for the unlawful use of artificial intelligence to hire an employee, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning, elder law, and business law practice.

Traditional estate tax planning often includes funding a credit shelter trust (also known as a bypass trust or family trust) up to the amount of a decedent’s unused estate tax exemption, then funding any assets in excess of the exemption amount into a marital trust for the benefit of the decedent’s surviving spouse. This type of planning was appropriate for many married couples who wished to maximize their remaining estate tax exemptions while leaving most assets for the support of a surviving spouse and deferring or avoiding estate taxation under the unlimited marital deduction.

By Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics) 

When creating an estate plan for a married couple, there are many ways to plan for its division into marital and nonmarital shares upon the death of the first spouse. The circumstances and the client’s wishes (as informed by your professional guidance) will dictate the most appropriate design. For example, planning for couples of very modest means will likely include different choices than planning for high-net-worth couples; planning for an elderly couple in a decades-long marriage who have only shared children may look different from planning for blended families. To best serve your clients, it is critical that you understand the options available and are able to communicate the benefits and burdens associated with each option in ways your clients will understand so that your expertise can appropriately guide their choices.

From a Michigan jury’s decision that a document found in Aretha Franklin’s couch is her valid will to recent decisions regarding what constitutes reasonable accommodations for religious and disabled employees, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

With wealth transfer tax exemptions at historical highs (in 2023, the gift and estate tax exemption is $12.92 million—$25.84 million per married couple), income tax planning is an increasingly important part of trust-based estate plans. This is particularly true when dealing with income tax-deferred retirement plans. Accordingly, beneficiary deemed owner trust (BDOT) provisions can lead to meaningful tax savings when applied appropriately within retirement trusts.

From the United States Supreme Court’s grant of certiorari of a constitutional challenge to a tax on unrealized gains, its recognition of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights action by nursing home residents against federally funded nursing facilities, and its ruling that companies who register to do business in Pennsylvania consent to all-purpose jurisdiction, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning, elder law, and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken a giant leap forward recently, bringing what seemed to be the future into the present. AI programs are already transforming businesses by producing automated responses to customers, marketing materials, emails, and virtual education programs. You may be wondering about the effects of programs like ChatGPT on the estate planning industry. Could your job eventually be replaced by a machine? We put this emerging intelligence to the test to see if an AI program could create an effective trust. Keep reading to see the results of this experiment.

From the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling holding trustees and beneficiaries liable for unpaid estate taxes to the invalidation on constitutional grounds of a California statute requiring diversity in corporate board membership, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated each year on June 15. If communities can better understand elder abuse, folks can be better equipped to recognize it and take steps to prevent it. Elder law attorneys are in close proximity to seniors and are often in a unique situation to observe signs of elder abuse. However, are attorneys allowed to report such abuse?

The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is an irrevocable trust used for Medicaid planning or asset protection purposes. After assets are funded into the trust and the look-back period has expired, the assets in the trust are non-countable for long-term care Medicaid eligibility. The MAPT has several aspects that result in tax advantages, such as being a grantor trust and having trust income taxed according to the Grantor’s income tax brackets instead of trust taxation rates. Other tax advantages that the MAPT can be designed with stem from retaining a limited power of appointment (LPOA). Let’s take a deeper dive into the LPOA.

Elder law is the area of law focused on issues that affect the aging population. While estate planning focuses on what happens when the individual passes away, elder law focuses on what happens while the individual is still alive. It is lifetime planning. This can include helping clients with guardianship issues, addressing elder abuse claims, handling discrimination claims, planning for long-term care, obtaining government benefits, and helping with special needs issues.

A surprising result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a surge in the formation of new businesses. New entities shop for legal services in the same way that they do for information technology, video production, and digital marketing services: they look for the best fit for the size and scope of their business. Because many small businesses cannot afford to hire a full-time attorney, you can serve as outside general counsel to more than one company and provide the legal assistance they will need to stay afloat. Read on to learn how to gain new clients and share your business law expertise as an outside general counsel.

If a homeowner stops paying their property taxes and the county forecloses on the home, what happens to the excess funds from the sale? Common sense might lead you to say that of course any excess funds would go to the homeowner, but that isn’t always the case. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently heard oral arguments in a case where the county kept the proceeds from the sale for itself.

From the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on penalties for nonwillful Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) violations to the New York Court of Appeals’ broad reading of New York’s long-arm jurisdiction statute in a breach of contract case, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

A pooled trust is also known as a d4C trust because it is authorized by US Code 1396p(d)(4)(C). It is established and managed by a non-profit organization and is funded by the individual with special needs, for that individual’s sole benefit. An individual’s pooled trust is a subaccount within a master trust, a collection of other individual trusts. The managing entity oversees the collective individual accounts within the pool as a whole. A pooled trust entity will have its own joinder agreement; the terms of the trust are controlled by the entity.

The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is a powerful tool used in elder law planning. The MAPT can be used both in a proactive planning case or in a crisis planning case. Let’s take a look at when the MAPT would be used in each type of case, and how a MAPT intersects with estate tax, gift tax, and income tax.

Modern technological tools make estate planning easier, but they present new responsibilities to keep your clients’ data safe. Because cybercriminals aim 43 percent of their attacks at small businesses, your law firm may be vulnerable without proper cybersecurity measures in place. A constant battle occurs in which hackers attack and IT professionals defend data and financial assets. Keep reading to learn helpful tips to safeguard your clients’ private information.

The Veterans Asset Protection Trust (VAPT) is a powerful tool that can protect assets while enabling the Grantor to qualify for needs-based VA-pension benefits. The VAPT is a nongrantor trust with the option to include a grantor residence subtrust. Why is the VAPT structured this way?

Storytelling is a powerful way to grow your law practice, especially if you can leverage the power of video. Eighty-two percent of global Internet traffic comes from video downloads and streaming. Providing valuable content through videos can build interest that will encourage viewers to become clients. Adding videos to your website and social media accounts will only be effective if you learn to do it right, however. Keep reading to learn the best storytelling techniques and video production tips.

How should a prior estrangement between child and parent affect the ruling in a guardianship case for the parent? This issue was recently litigated in an Indiana slip opinion.

Peggy, a 90-year-old Indiana resident, had three children – Randy, Terri, and Sherry. Randy and Terri also live in Indiana; Sherry lives in Florida. Peggy’s husband died in 2002 and thereafter her relationship with Terri became estranged. In 2003, Peggy executed a financial power of attorney, naming Randy as her agent and Sherry as her successor agent.

From the clarification of basis rules for assets held by irrevocable grantor trusts to the issuance of guidance by the U.S. Copyright Office for content generated by artificial intelligence, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

Caring for clients’ needs and keeping up with a full work schedule can take a heavy toll on an attorney’s mental and physical health. In fact, the rate of depression among attorneys is nearly four times higher than that of the general population. With the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary on World Health Day April 7, now is a great time to prioritize your well-being. A stressful lifestyle can put you at risk for mental health issues and substance abuse, which are likely to negatively impact your practice and lead to malpractice lawsuits and professional disciplinary actions. Keep reading to learn effective ways to maintain your health.

Last month, the Washington State Senate approved Bill 5123, prohibiting a business from refusing to hire a worker due to a positive drug test that screens for nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites. If it is signed, Washington, which has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, will join a handful of other states that have enacted similar legislation prohibiting adverse employment action for workers’ off-duty marijuana use. Although marijuana is illegal under federal law, an increasing number of states are decriminalizing marijuana use for medicinal and recreational purposes. As a result, workplace policies may need to be adjusted.

Elder law is an area of legal practice that focuses on the needs and challenges faced by seniors. One important issue that falls under this category is nursing home Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is a government-funded healthcare program that provides medical assistance to certain populations, and it can be a crucial resource for seniors who require long-term care in a nursing home. However, Medicaid eligibility can be a complex and confusing process, particularly when it comes to nursing home care.

Starting January 1, 2024, millions of small businesses that form after that date will be required to report identifying information about their beneficial owners and company applicants to the federal government under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The following year, businesses that formed before January 1, 2024, will also be required to meet the CTA’s reporting requirements. 

If you are an avid user of Elder Docx™, WealthCounsel’s state-of-the-art document drafting software, you’ve probably drafted a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). The MAPT is an irrevocable trust that protects assets from being counted for long-term care Medicaid eligibility. But did you know that the MAPT has a cousin, the Medicaid Family Protection Trust (Family Trust)?

The Family Trust, like the MAPT, protects assets from being counted for long-term care Medicaid eligibility. But, the Family Trust has also been designed to achieve optimal asset protection for both the grantor and beneficiaries. How is this asset protection achieved?

From the enforcement of federal tax liens against a trust found to be the taxpayer’s nominee to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that highly compensated workers may be entitled to overtime pay, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

President Biden announced that the official Public Health Emergency (PHE) caused by COVID-19 will end on May 11, 2023.   What are the ramifications of this change for seniors?

1. Return of Medicare’s three-day rule

In recent years, technological breakthroughs have helped folks with disabilities—robotic limbs, telepresence robots, and platforms to assist with communication. These new technologies give some the ability to be more independent and lead more fulfilling lives.

Now, there is a new wheelchair that can be controlled by the mind. Someone that is paralyzed or without the necessary limbs to operate a traditional wheelchair can now strap an electrode-studded cap onto their head and control the direction of the wheelchair with their thoughts.

Written by Jeremiah W. Doyle IV, JD, LLM

Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) section 6166 allows an executor to defer the payment of the federal estate tax attributable to the interest in a closely held business. The deferred payments may be extended over a period of up to fourteen years and nine months following the death of the business owner. With an estate tax exemption of $12.06 million in 2022, many estates can pass free of federal estate tax, making a section 6166 election unnecessary for the value of a business interest included in the gross estate. However, with the estate, gift, and generation skipping tax exemption scheduled to be reduced to $5 million (indexed for inflation) beginning January 1, 2026, a section 6166 election may become valuable for more estates holding an interest in a closely held business. Thus, it is probably time to dust off a copy of section 6166 and review its complex and somewhat ambiguous provisions.

Experienced and effective leadership is a key component of long-term business success. However, only 35 percent of businesses have a formalized succession plan—a startling statistic considering that retiring Baby Boomers will comprise the largest exit from the workforce in US history. Whether you own your practice or advise business-owning clients, succession planning is vital to ensure a smooth transition. Keep reading to learn some top techniques and considerations to keep in mind.

If an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receives certain types of payments, those payments must be reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and their benefits may be reduced, often quite significantly. The most common distribution that would need to be reported is payment of income in the form of food or shelter, referred to as In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). This type of income is any payment from a third party (including from a trust) for the necessities of life—food and shelter. ISM occurs when distributions are made not only for groceries, rent, or a mortgage payment, but also for basic utilities such as natural gas, water, electricity, sewer service, and garbage collection.

Last week, the SSA published a proposed rule that seeks to exclude food from the ISM calculation.

The Challenges of Planning the Client’s Legacy of Place and Togetherness

Written by Timothy Borchers

The vacation home . . . It evokes an image of family and friends enjoying time together at a cottage or cabin, lodge or ranch, somewhere away from it all—the lakeside or seaside, in the country, or on the slopes—in a scene that is repeated year after year. 

It could be a Hyannis Port compound like the Kennedys’ or equivalent to Shrek’s shack in the swamp, but more likely, it is something in between. Regardless of whether it is modest or upscale, when everyone from Grandpa down to the youngest grandkid says in a giddy moment, “This place is awesome! I hope we can enjoy it forever!”, it is not just a home, it is an heirloom property.

Elder law and estate planning are often confused with each other. Admittedly, they are akin to each other, but here’s the key difference: elder law is about planning for what happens when a senior is still alive, and estate planning is about planning for what happens after someone passes away.

From the SECURE 2.0 Act’s changes for special needs trusts to the Federal Trade Commission’s issuance of a proposed rule banning noncompetition clauses, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

When a client needs Medicaid benefits to pay for their long term care needs, their elder law attorney likely has several strategies in their quiver to help get them qualified. One such strategy is using a sole benefit trust. What is this trust and when can it be used?

Medicaid has strict income and asset rules for those seeking long term care benefits. When a client has excess assets that they need to spend down to qualify for Medicaid, they can put those assets in a sole benefit trust. The benefit of doing so is that transfers to a sole benefit trust are not penalized. However, there are rules about who can be the beneficiary of the sole benefit trust.

The Virtual Conference for Experienced Estate Planners Returns

Our next Advanced Estate Planning Summit is around the corner! This Summit will address sophisticated estate planning strategies and topics of interest—from trust protectors and charitable tax planning, to grantor retained annuity trust (GRATs) and beneficiary deemed owner trusts (BDOTs). This is your chance to hear from nationally-recognized speakers, earn up to 5 CLE credits, and gain practical insights to use immediately in your practice.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services proffers that by the time your client reaches age 65, there’s an almost 70% chance that the client will need some type of long term care. This care could be in-home help or care at an assisted living or nursing home facility. Planning for the potential of needed care is a big part of elder law.

Medicaid is the only government program that will pay for long term care beyond 100 days for non-Veterans. In order to qualify for Medicaid benefits, your client will need to pass income and asset tests. In addition, state Medicaid programs have a 5-year look-back period (3 years in California). The Medicaid department will scrutinize any transfers that your client has made during the look-back period. If your client has transferred assets for less than fair market value during that time, your client will incur a penalty period and will not be able to receive Medicaid benefits right away.

The start of a new year often means setting goals to improve your business and increase your firm’s revenue. There are many ways to reach these goals, such as gaining new clients and adding new services. However, it is important that you not overlook your existing client base as a source of growth. One way to leverage your current client base and provide them with maximum value is to institute a client maintenance program. Establishing such a program can improve your client relationships, allow you to provide better service, and generate consistent revenue for your law practice. Read on to learn about client maintenance programs and how to establish them.

Some trust beneficiaries may feel left in the dark about the terms of their trust and the amount of property in their trust. Whether or not the trustee has a duty to provide the trust document or a trust accounting to the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust is a matter of state law. But what happens when the terms of the trust conflict with state law?

This issue was recently litigated in Nevada.

In order to keep a community spouse from being impoverished when their partner enters a nursing home, federal laws allow the community spouse to keep a certain amount of assets and income. The amount of assets the community spouse is allowed to keep is termed the community spouse resource allowance (CSRA). The amount of income the community spouse is allowed to keep is called the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA).

Rising inflation has led the US government to increase the estate and gift tax exclusion amounts for 2023. This is a perfect time for estate planning attorneys to talk to their clients about taking advantage of innovative strategies, while keeping an eye on larger changes that are coming at the end of 2025. Keep reading to learn the new amounts and ideas to help your clients. 

From the enactment of the SECURE 2.0 Act to the issuance of a proposed rule on access to beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

If you have a client that believes a loved one was unduly influenced to change their estate plan, can that client object to the estate plan during their loved one’s life? Or, is the case not ripe until after the loved one’s death? This issue was recently litigated in Maryland.

A Review of Estate Planning Techniques for High and Low Rate Environments

Written by Emily A. Plocki, JD, LL.M and Anna Katherine Moody, JD, LL.M

We are in a time when economic factors such as volatile financial markets and fluctuating interest rates combine to impact the effectiveness of a variety of estate planning techniques. From 2009 through 2021, interest rates sank to and remained at historic lows. However, due to various economic pressures, rates are on the rise, and it is important for clients and advisors to consider the estate planning opportunities that are most effective in the changing interest rate environment. Certain planning strategies and structures work best when interest rates are high compared to those that are implemented in low interest rate environments. While the current uncertain environment may—understandably—cause clients to hesitate to engage in a significant gifting regime, clients should review their balance sheets with their attorneys and financial advisors and discuss whether any of the planning structures described below provide an attractive planning opportunity for the client’s particular circumstances. 

From the US Tax Court setting aside Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2017-10 to clarification of an employer's obligation under the Fair Labor Standards Act to compensate employees for certain preshift duties, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

Undue influence involves an individual taking advantage of another. This usually happens at the hands of a family member in an effort to gain financial control over someone with diminished capacity. In certain jurisdictions, undue influence is presumed when there is a fiduciary relationship between the two parties; the person doing the questionable action must rebut this presumption for the action to stand. Recently, a case highlighted how a presumption of undue influence was upheld and the offending party’s actions were undone.

There are many ways to provide for a married client’s surviving spouse after the client’s death. This type of estate planning is often referred to as marital share funding. Spouses may use various marital share funding options in either will- or trust-based estate plans. Their goals may include estate tax planning, probate avoidance (especially when using a trust-based plan), and incapacity planning. Disclaimers can be used when planning for estate taxes and may be particularly helpful in other situations relevant to married clients. 

Donald and Marjorie were married in 1997. Each of them had two adult children upon entering the marriage–Donald’s kids were Kathy and Ray; Marjorie’s kids were Julie and Colleen. Donald and Marjorie created a revocable living trust together. At first death, the trust remained revocable as to the survivor. Upon the death of the survivor, all four kids were equal residuary beneficiaries.

Donald died in 2000. Kathy and Marjorie communicated sporadically throughout the years after Donald’s death. Ray’s communication with Marjorie ended shortly after Donald’s death. In 2004, Marjorie sold the family home and sent all four children checks for equal amounts of the proceeds.

As we prepare to welcome the new year, it is an ideal opportunity to reflect on your estate planning practice. Take a moment to evaluate the successes and challenges of the past year and identify any goals you did not meet. Now is the time to set new goals for your practice and yourself. The close of the year often sparks anticipation for the possibilities ahead, including the chance to engage with new clients. Many individuals set a New Year’s resolution to initiate or revise their estate plans, and they are looking forward to connecting with an estate planning attorney. 

The Covid-19 Pandemic made everything topsy-turvy. Businesses shut down, supplies were sometimes scarce, and families were distanced. It seemed like the coronavirus could be a legitimate excuse for the failure to get almost anything done in a timely manner. But what if this were the cited reason for causing planning delays in a Medicaid eligibility case? Was this a valid argument? An Ohio appeals court says no but only because of a technicality.

Divorce is usually a lengthy process of reaching agreements pertaining to assets and family time. Once a divorce case is filed with the court, a temporary injunction is put in place, where neither party can dispose of marital assets. The court will eventually issue its ruling about how assets are divided. But what happens if one party to the divorce changes beneficiary designations to assets while the divorce case is pending but dies before the divorce decree is issued? Do the new designations stand?

California Probate Code 850 is infamously known throughout the state as the basis for a Heggstad Petition, named after the landmark case, Estate of Heggstad. In this case, the Grantor of a revocable living trust had transferred trust property back into his personal name for refinancing purposes. The grantor died before he could transfer the property back into the trust. The court applied Section 850 and allowed a post-humous transfer of the real property back into the revocable trust.

In the course of a trust administration, beneficiaries primarily want to know what will be distributed to them and when it will be distributed. Attorneys who represent trustees, however, must prevent trust distributions until the proper time—that is, until all liabilities have been paid or reasonably accounted for with a reserve. Otherwise, a trustee may face personal liability and need to seek indemnity from beneficiaries who may have already spent the funds distributed to them. In a postdeath administration, there may be trust and nontrust liabilities (or the decedent’s liabilities), including the decedent’s debts and various taxes. In addition, a trustee must pay the expenses of the administration or reserve funds for payment of those expenses. 

From the announcement of the 2023 limits on contributions to retirement accounts to a new proposed rule for classifying independent contractors, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practices.

Carol and Richard were married for 14 years but separated in 1989. As part of their separation agreement, they each agreed to execute irrevocable wills that named only their two children as beneficiaries of their respective estates. Each party agreed to give a copy of their new will to the other.

Many years thereafter, Carol and Richard both remarried other individuals, and each executed new wills. Carol’s new will left her personal effects to her new husband. If he were to predecease Carol, then her personal effects would be divided between her kids and her new husband’s kids. The residue of Carol’s estate was devised to a revocable trust; Carol and her new husband were grantors of the trust and each retained a general power of appointment to change the beneficial interests of the trust.

The number of blended families is increasing, as more than 1,300 form every day. In these types of families, one or both spouses have children from previous relationships and they may have children together. Working with blended families will be a common scenario for you as an estate planning attorney (if it is not already), and each family’s plan will be different. The goals of individual family members may be at odds, as not all blended will look like an episode of The Brady Bunch or Modern Family. 

Estate planning and business law attorneys often advise their clients to form a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC provides flexibility and protection from lawsuits for the LLC’s members. You can add value by helping your business-owner clients through this process. Your expertise will make a difference to the success of your clients’ businesses, especially when it comes to drafting their operating agreements. 

A.V. suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was admitted to a nursing home in January 2021. Thereafter, she submitted a Medicaid application for benefits. On her application, she reported several transfers for less than fair market value during the look-back period. She transferred various amounts to her kids and grandkids for things like wedding gifts, help with a down payment on a home, and car purchases. A.V. had specific dates and amounts for each recipient and presented verification to the Medicaid office. All transfers totaled roughly $25,000.

In accordance with 42 U.S. Code § 1396p(c)(2)(C), a Medicaid applicant will not be ineligible for benefits due to transfers during the look-back period if the applicant demonstrates to the state that the transfers were made for a purpose other than to qualify for benefits.

A revocable living trust (RLT) is often the best vehicle to preserve an estate planning client’s assets and avoid probate court. However, the process of getting all of the client’s assets safely into the trust (a process called funding) can be laborious. Leaving the process to the client or doing it yourself both have their pros and cons. Keep reading to find out whether you should handle the funding process and learn the best ways to fund your client’s RLT.  

Ellan Orkin died in 2019 at the age of ninety-nine. During her life, she and her sister served as nurses during World War II. After their service, they married and settled down in Delaware. Neither had children and each was predeceased by her husband. Ellan and her sister had many friends and other family members around them. Tina was Ellan’s cousin and lived across the street from her; they visited often.

In 1998, Ellan met Kimberly, a former teacher at a local community college. Kimberly presented business opportunities to Ellan and her sister and helped them with various daily needs. Over a span of about 25 years, ending in 2017, Ellan executed various changes to her estate planning documents that increasingly gave Kimberly greater shares of her estate.

From the announcement of the projected 2023 estate and gift tax exclusion amounts to newly issued final regulations implementing the Corporate Transparency Act, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practices.

October is National Special Needs Law Month! As such, some good news is needed. The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (DOE) has recently announced that they are giving out five-year grants to help combat subminimum wages for employees with special needs.

Whether plagued by poor reviews or buried in search engine obscurity, many small law firms and solo practitioners need a marketing makeover. There are countless reasons why a law firm lacks exposure, but attorneys must overcome the obstacles to gain online exposure and build a client base. With the right tools, attorneys can improve their marketing presence, even if that means starting from square one.

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has been in the news more than ever this year. In November, they will hear oral arguments on another landmark case. This one will decide whether the spending clause permits private claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The ruling could have big consequences regarding access to Medicaid and other government benefits.

The hourly billing model has become a thing of the past for many estate planning attorneys, who have shifted to more modern pricing strategies. Providing clients with a clear picture of the costs of retaining you makes sense, especially for solo practitioners and those in small firms. Many attorneys offer several value-based price points that move away from a time-based model to one that represents what is actually delivered to the client. Read on to learn the benefits of innovative pricing models and how to implement them in your law practice.

Real property is the primary asset in many estate plans, and it warrants special attention. The distribution of cash and family heirlooms is relatively straightforward compared to real estate, which is often accompanied by a mortgage and insurance. As an estate planning attorney, you should use caution when transferring real property to a trust or to entities such as limited liability companies (LLCs) due to the many moving parts. Read on to learn about three mistakes to avoid when transferring real property.

Elder law attorneys focus on helping clients plan for long-term care. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services estimates that an individual aged 65 and over, “has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years.” So, an elder law attorney usually has an abundance of clients needing services. However, is it only clients with limited or moderate means who need to plan? Should wealthy clients also have a plan in place for long-term care?

From the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) reversal of its position on estate tax deductions for certain unitrust interests of charitable remainder unitrusts (CRUTs) to newly enacted pay transparency laws, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

When someone is unable to care for themselves, a guardian is oftentimes appointed. This guardian is responsible for the health and well-being of the ward. But what if the guardian doesn’t act in the ward’s best interest? What if the guardian’s actions caused harm to the ward? Should the ward’s loved ones be able to file a suit for negligence against the guardian?

This issue was recently litigated in Minnesota.

Cryptocurrency’s decentralized nature has changed the world of global finance. However, because it is so new and volatile, the crypto market’s dizzying ups and downs can be difficult to interpret. Is the recent “crypto winter” just one of these regular fluctuations, or does it indicate permanent problems with the viability of crypto? Virtual assets may now be a significant component of your estate planning clients’ portfolios, so keep reading to learn more about the future of these investments.

Powers of attorney are powerful documents. A financial power of attorney allows another, the agent, to make financial decisions on behalf of the person creating the document, the principal. In a recent blog, the issue of whether a financial power of attorney can authorize the agent to create a trust on behalf of a principal was discussed. Another case has come out on authorization in a power of attorney, but this time it concerns a healthcare power of attorney. Specifically, the Second Appellate District in California decides whether a healthcare power of attorney that gives the agent the power to make healthcare decisions allows the agent to enter into an arbitration agreement on behalf of the principal.

Trust administration is a complicated process with many moving parts. As you represent the trustee, you must keep in mind the needs and demands of the trust beneficiaries. Though there may be pressure to make trust distributions as quickly as possible, your top priority should be to make sure all of the necessary tasks are completed—and in the proper order. Keep reading for tips on how to make the trust asset allocation and distribution processes go smoothly.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that almost 70 percent of folks aged 65 and over will need some type of long-term care in their remaining lifetime. What will this care look like? How will this care be paid for? How will the senior’s family be affected? Answering these questions and creating a plan is a major part of elder law.

Back to school is a busy and emotional time for parents and their children, especially if the child will be going off to college or moving away. Parents may not realize, however, that turning eighteen is even more life-changing for their child than moving into a dorm room or registering for college classes. This milestone is the ideal time for you to reach out to clients, leads, and referral sources to help parents and their children adapt to the legal realities of adulthood. Read on to learn more about how estate planning for young adults can give the entire family peace of mind.

Stan Lee, the legendary comic book creator, died in November 2018 and his estate has been in litigation ever since.

Stan’s wife had died in July 2017 and thereafter Stan had named Jerry Olivarez, a publicist, as agent under a power of attorney. The Compliant in the probate case alleged that Jerry did several unscrupulous acts: dismissed Stan’s lawyer and hired his own without disclosing the conflict of interest; fired Stan’s banker and transferred roughly $4.6 million out of Stan’s account; duped Stan into loaning him $300,000; bought an expensive condo using Stan’s money; and more. The suit listed several causes of action, including financial abuse of an elder, fraud, and misappropriation of name and likeness. Jerry denied the allegations.

A Financial Power of Attorney (POA) is a powerful document that every senior should have in place. This document allows another person, the agent, to make financial decisions on behalf of the senior, the principal, in the event the senior cannot make their own decisions. Without this document in place, if the senior becomes incapacitated, a court process will be necessary so that the court can appoint someone to make those decisions.

When an agent acts, he steps into the shoes of the principal. But what acts can an agent do? Well, that depends upon the powers given in the document. Can an agent create a trust on behalf of the principal? Does the POA need to contain certain language for that act to be allowed?

From the Internal Revenue Service’s extension of time to use the simplified method for electing portability to the enforceability of modifications to click-wrap agreements, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

As folks age, they oftentimes become unable to manage their affairs. A court can name someone to handle these affairs on the senior’s behalf. A guardian is appointed to make personal or healthcare decisions; a conservator is appointed to make financial decisions. The senior is termed the “ward.” That guardian and conservator (oftentimes the same individual) are then responsible to handle the ward’s affairs, in the ward’s best interests. But how far can the conservator go? Can a conservator sue the ward’s spouse for support and maintenance? This issue was recently litigated in South Carolina.

Piercing the corporate veil is a legal concept that involves separating the business entity from its owner, allowing the owner to be protected from personal liability for the business’s debts. The applicable law can be nebulous, and protection against personal liability may not always be available, especially if a single owner of a business uses personal funds to run the company—or uses the business’s funds for their own purposes. A recent legal case from North Dakota illustrates some of the factors that determine whether the business is operating separately or merely as the alter ego of its owner. Read on to learn more.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently extended the time to elect portability of the deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) amount for estates not otherwise required to file an estate tax return. After getting swamped with extension requests from taxpayers who missed the two-year deadline, the IRS announced that it would allow five years to make a late claim on portability. Read on to learn more about this change and how it applies to your estate planning clients.

Limited liability companies are typically run by a sole member or some or all of its members. However, sometimes it is best for a limited liability company (LLC) to be managed by a third party nonmember manager. Keep reading to learn how to advise your business-owning clients about when to consider using a nonmember manager. 

An arbitration agreement is a contract that states that the signors cannot sue each other in court. Rather, the remedy for any perceived wrongdoing on the part of the signors is arbitration. Arbitration is similar to mediation except that the former is binding upon the parties. Businesses oftentimes prefer arbitration to a court process as a way to keep litigation costs down and to keep the dispute confidential.

A court might not honor an arbitration agreement and allow a suit to proceed if there was fraud or if the agreement is unconscionable. An unconscionable agreement would be one that was unreasonably unfair, unjust, or oppressive to a signor.

In a case out of Pennsylvania, a court did find that an arbitration agreement was unconscionable.

Interest rates have been climbing steadily throughout 2022, as the Federal Reserve System continues to battle an inflation rate that recently reached a forty-year high. This economic environment lends itself to certain estate planning strategies that take advantage of high interest rates. Keep reading to learn which estate planning tactics are best when interest rates are elevated.

From the Internal Revenue Service’s Dirty Dozen tax schemes to the standard applicable to waiver in federal arbitration cases, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

Practicing law can sometimes seem like just that: practice. You may wonder, when will the meaningful work begin? If you feel like you are simply accomplishing tasks and checking items off your to-do list, maybe your law career needs something new. Are you feeling burned out or longing to start your own practice? If you are looking for a future in which you get to perform work that matters to you while maintaining a life outside the office, estate planning may be a good fit, and it has several advantages if you need a new direction. Keep reading to learn more about this fulfilling area of the law.

Many states, in their state Medicaid rules, have an exception for counting an asset for Medicaid-eligibility considerations if the applicant is trying to sell the property. Ohio, however, was not one of those states. But, in a recent case out of the First Appellate District of Ohio, the court ruled that the state must adhere to the Social Security eligibility rules on the topic and allow for a reasonable-efforts exclusion.

In this case, Diana entered into a care facility and applied for Medicaid benefits several months thereafter. Her application was denied due to the value of a piece of real property that Diana had on the market for the prior year. Diana appealed her Medicaid denial and the state department affirmed the denial. Diana again appealed and the trial court upheld the denial. Again, Diana appealed; the appeals court ruled in her favor.

If an individual sues an entity for violations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Affordable Care Act, what kinds of damages can be recovered? The Supreme Court of the United States recently addressed this issue, and their ruling has disability advocates up in arms.

As an estate planner, you should always be attuned to your clients’ goals, especially when estate and gift tax laws change. WealthCounsel conducted a survey with the help of Trusts & Estates magazine and Informa Engage of more than 500 estate planning professionals to gain insight into estate planning trends. The survey results revealed several popular goals for 2022, relating to large lifetime gifts, the upcoming sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and the deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) amount. Read on to learn about clients’ estate planning goals.

Running a law practice can be challenging, but fortunately, there are a variety of technological tools that can make it easier. These solutions can help you manage your client relationships, save time with scheduling, design email marketing strategies, automate webinars, and create consistent branding. Doing things the old-fashioned way may be comfortable, but you can gain time and money by taking advantage of business efficiency solutions. Keep reading to learn more. 

While the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act became law in late 2019, the Internal Revenue Service has only recently proposed how to implement it. The 275 pages of regulations have not yet been finalized, but their publication affects many estate planning clients.  These rules are a moving target, so it is important to learn about them from the source rather than relying on the expertise of custodians or financial advisors.

In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules that states must abide by in their waiver programs for home and community-based services (HCBS). Since then, the implementation of the new rules has been delayed – first, so that states had more time to comply, and then later due to the pandemic. However, CMS has announced that they are holding tight to the latest deadline of March 2023.

From the unenforceability of arbitration clauses in trusts to the applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act to small businesses, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

The Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling last week that dictates that a state’s Medicaid agency can recoup funds for benefits paid against an injured party’s settlement award for future medical expenses.

In this case, a Florida student was tragically injured and left in a vegetative state when she was hit by a truck after she stepped off her school bus. Her personal injury suit settled with an $800,000 award, of which roughly $35,000 was designated for past medical expenses. Instead of taking the amount designated for past medical expenses, the state Medicaid agency tried to attach $300,000 of the settlement proceeds.

In Michigan, a court can issue an order for the transfer of assets from one spouse to another when one spouse is institutionalized. Such order is termed a protective order and is authorized under the state’s Estates and Protected Individuals Code. But what is required for a court to issue a binding order?

Estate planners have needs and concerns that change each year. That is why WealthCounsel teamed up with Trusts & Estates magazine and Informa Engage to conduct an annual survey of more than 500 estate planning professionals. 

This year’s major topics included cryptocurrency and nonfungible tokens (NFTs); referral sources; and the upcoming sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Read on for details about the survey results.

Many participants of the Great Resignation decided to not only leave their jobs, but to also start their own businesses. Business startups surged 53 percent last year to 5.4 million, the highest number on record of any year. These new business owners need help with legal documents and business planning, providing attorneys with a new source of clients. Even if estate planning is your focus, understanding how to help new and aspiring business owners can grow your practice. Keep reading to learn more about how to reach and serve these potential clients.

Memorial Day reminds us of the sacrifices that members of the armed forces and their families make every day in service to our country. Military families are a unique demographic; however, they have estate planning needs like everyone else. Due to the nature of their work, military families often experience frequent moves, and while they have access to several forms of government benefits, they can also be subject to some unusual tax rules. Additionally, their risk of deployment into active combat presents a heightened level of urgency and necessity for wills, trusts, and other pertinent planning documents. For these reasons, estate planning for military families can be more complicated than for other types of families. 

A trigger trust, in the Medicaid-trust world, is one in which access to trust funds is removed once a triggering event occurs, such as the grantor entering a nursing home. Since the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, trigger trusts are not allowed for Medicaid planning, as such trust would violate the any circumstances rule of 42 U.S. Code § 1396p(d)(3)(B). However, in a new case out of Connecticut, a court analyzes whether a trigger trust keeps trust assets from being counted for Medicaid eligibility purposes. Let’s take a look at the facts and see how the court analyzes the case.

Antonio and Antoinetta, husband and wife, established a Declaration of Trust in 2001. Per the terms of the trust, each grantor had the right to withdraw his or her portion of trust property only if the pertinent grantor was “alive and competent”. In the event a grantor was not competent, the trust could not be revoked and trust assets could not be accessed, not even by the grantor’s legal representative.

From new anti-clawback proposed regulations to pay transparency statutes, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

As attorneys, we are in a fiduciary role and must be honest and fair with our clients. Our clients trust us with their lives, their families, and their savings. Hopefully, you don’t need to be told to not steal money from your clients because it is obviously egregious. But when a case comes out about an attorney who lost his way, it can serve as a reminder to keep us on our ethical toes.

An attorney out of Salt Lake City, Mr. Curtis, was just sentenced to 97 months in federal prison and assessed with almost $13 million dollars in restitution. The prosecuting team initially had reached a plea deal with Mr. Curtis for 6 years in prison, but the judge rejected those terms as unreasonable. Mr. Curtis plead guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. The clients he was charged with committing these crimes against were elderly or disabled folks.

A big part of elder law is helping clients get eligible for Medicaid since that government program has strict rules about an applicant’s assets, income, and prior transfers. There are a variety of legal strategies to employ to meet the eligibility rules and obtain long-term care benefits. However, is submitting a seemingly one-sided consent judgment a viable strategy? Can the judge reject the consent judgment because Medicaid qualification might be a motivating factor for the parties? This issue was recently litigated in Michigan.

While there are many ways to change the terms of an irrevocable trust, decanting proves to be one of the most effective methods. An irrevocable trust does not necessarily mean that it is unchangeable, as the terms can be altered after it is poured (decanted like a bottle of wine) into a new trust. Trust decanting is a useful tool for estate planning attorneys who are striving to make a trust better fit the needs of the client. The authority to decant a trust can be included in the original trust, or it can stem from the decanting statutes in more than thirty states. 

When qualifying for long-term Medicaid, there are asset and income restrictions. In many states, the applicant cannot have more than $2,000 in assets and receive benefits. Luckily, the equity in the applicant’s home is an excluded asset, up to a certain amount. But in order to have the home’s equity excluded, must the applicant have occupied that home prior to applying for benefits? This issue was recently litigated in Texas.

Business owners can be so concerned with day-to-day operations that they fail to prepare for the inevitable day when they are no longer able to run their business. There always seems to be time until there is no more time. Business succession planning may be the “single-most neglected aspect” of running a company. Further, this issue is relevant to business clients as well as to attorneys who run their own practices. Whether plans to depart the business are imminent or far-off, it is important to act now, as proper business succession planning can often take several years to implement.

Protecting assets is a major goal of estate planning, and as of March 2022, nineteen states have statutes that allow the creation of a domestic asset protection trust (DAPT). A DAPT is an irrevocable trust designed to protect trust assets from beneficiaries’ creditors. An even better version of this trust is the hybrid DAPT, which can offer another layer of protection for your client. Read on to learn how it works.

A silent trust is one where the beneficiaries are not aware of its existence. Why would a grantor want to create a silent trust? The grantor may not want to discuss how she designed the residuary distribution provision of the trust, as it may breed family conflict. Or, the grantor may think that if a beneficiary knows that he is set up for an inheritance, he will become lazy or a spendthrift. In any event, the grantor wishes for the trust to be kept a secret. Are these types of trusts allowed?

If you practice in estate planning or elder law, you likely have heard of special needs planning. You know you should plan for a beneficiary who has special needs by creating a special needs trust (SNT) to hold their inheritance. But what about including contingent SNT provisions in the client’s revocable living trust? Let’s talk about what exactly this type of planning is and why it is important.

While you may have a strong handle on the substantive estate planning law required to effectively run your practice, it is natural for new and transitioning practitioners to experience difficulties acquiring clients. Law school prepares you to pass the bar and begin practicing law, but it does not prepare you to operate and market a business.

From a taxpayer’s win in a split-dollar life insurance arrangement case to the reinstatement of a Trump-era independent contractor rule, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

Federal law, specifically 42 U.S. Code § 1396p(c)(2)(D), dictates that a state must establish procedures that allow a Medicaid applicant to receive needed care via a hardship waiver. In these cases, the applicant (or their spouse) had made a transfer during the look-back period that would otherwise incur a penalty whereas the applicant would not be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits for a certain period of time. If the applicant can show that the imposition of the penalty period would deprive the applicant of necessary medical care or the necessities of life, then the hardship waiver can be approved, allowing the applicant to get needed care immediately. Basically, the penalty period is waived if the hardship waiver is granted.

Business can become personal for entrepreneurs who own a small business. Life changes such as divorce, disability, or death can affect not only the partner but also the ownership of the business. To retain stability when major changes occur, a business should have a comprehensive buy-sell agreement in place at its outset. Because life events will undoubtedly affect your clients’ businesses, you should be aware of and avoid common drafting mistakes in buy-sell agreements. 

The road to retirement is different for everyone. Workers have many paths to help save for retirement as they travel toward the same goal. Since retirement funds are an important part of many estate plans, you should understand the most common types of retirement accounts. Read on to learn more about these accounts and their various tax implications.

What happens if a Medicaid applicant has funds in a bank account but cannot access those funds due to their medical condition? Are those funds still a countable resource? This issue was recently litigated in Indiana.

Samuel was admitted to the nursing home in 2019. A few months thereafter, he was diagnosed as “incapacitated by senile degeneration of the brain.” In February 2020, Samuel’s representative applied for Medicaid benefits and was denied due to excess assets. Samuel twice appealed and the case was affirmed each time.

Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are gaining popularity at an exponential rate. Trades of these unique digital assets increased by an eye-popping 21,000 percent in 2021, for a total value of $17.6 billion. Because your clients are increasingly likely to have NFTs in their portfolios, it is important that you understand them and know how to include them in an estate plan. 

The legal authority to create a Qualified Disability Trust (QDisT) falls under §642(b)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as a QDisT, the trust must meet the following criteria:

1. A QDisT must be irrevocable.
   
   
2. All beneficiaries must be disabled and receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income benefits. There can be more than one beneficiary, but all beneficiaries must be disabled. (According to IRC 642(b)(2)(C)(ii), a trust can still qualify as a QDisT if the corpus of the trust transfers to someone who is not disabled after all disabled beneficiaries are deceased.)
   
   
3. A QDisT cannot be a grantor trust; the trust must be the taxpaying entity.
   
   
4. The trust must be established for the benefit of disabled individuals 65 years of age or younger. (The QDisT does not cease to be a QDisT after the beneficiary turns 65, but it must be established beforehand.)

Do you consider yourself comfortable with technology? If so, you can help clients who are not. Our communications methods and preferences have changed drastically in just the past few years. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.4(a) requires that attorneys keep clients well-informed, and improving your communications skills through technology will assist your clients immensely. You can augment your communication skills using four types of technology: smartphones, Zoom meetings, document solutions, and social media.  

Are you interested in learning more about elder law, how it could benefit your practice, and how you could go about incorporating this area of law into your practice? You have come to the right place.

What is elder law?

Elder law is the area of law focused on issues that affect the aging population. While estate planning law focuses on what happens when the individual passes away, elder law focuses on what happens while the individual is still alive. This can include guardianship issues, addressing elder abuse claims, handling discrimination claims, planning for long-term care, obtaining government benefits, and helping with special needs issues. Let’s discuss some of these points in more detail.

From new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposed regulations relating to required minimum distributions to a new federal law ending forced arbitration for claims of sexual harassment and assault, we have recently seen significant developments in estate planning and business law. To ensure that you stay abreast of these legal changes, we have highlighted some noteworthy developments and analyzed how they may impact your estate planning and business law practice.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a broad-sweeping federal law meant to eliminate discrimination against those with disabilities. The ADA doesn’t specifically address polling places, but Title II requires equal voting rights for those with disabilities. As such, state and local governments must ensure that those with disabilities have physical access to polling places. In addition, reasonable modifications of voting procedures are required to meet an individual’s needs.

However, new trends in voting laws over the last couple of years are being hailed as discriminatory towards those with disabilities or mobility issues. Those with disabilities or mobility issues oftentimes use non-traditional methods to cast their votes: mail-in ballots, ballot drop-boxes, curbside voting, or inciting the help of another at the voting booth. Altering these methods is often the focus of these new laws.

Retirement funds are likely one of the main components of your client’s estate plan. A standalone retirement trust (SRT) is a useful tool that can protect these funds by allowing your client to direct the manner in which they are distributed after the client dies. You can serve your clients well by explaining how an SRT works and how much value it can add to their estate plans.

A Self-Settled Special Needs Trust (SNT) and a Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) are used when a beneficiary would like access to extra funds without jeopardizing their eligibility for public benefits. Let’s review some key differences between these trusts.

The Self-Settled SNT—available in Elder Docx™—is irrevocable and is used when the assets funding the trust belong to the beneficiary. This would be if an individual has money in the bank, or comes into money, such as via a settlement or inheritance. If the funds are obtained through a settlement, an MSA subtrust may be needed. (More on that in a bit.)