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.