Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques
By: PETER REISS, ESQ.
1. $13,000 Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: Technique to allow gifts without the imposition of estate or gift taxes.
2. Charitable Remainder Interest Trust: A trust whereby donors transfer property to a charitable trust and retain an income stream from the property transferred. The donor receives a charitable contribution income tax deduction, and avoids a capital gains tax on transferred property.
3. Children’s or Grandchildren’s Irrevocable Education Trust: A trust used by parents and grandparents for a child’s or grandchild’s education.
4. Family Limited Partnership: An entity used to:
– Provide asset protection for partnership property from the creditors of a partner
– Provide protection for limited partners from creditors
– Enable gifts to children and parents maintaining management control
– Reduce transfer tax value of property.
5. Fractional Interest Gift: Allows a donor to transfer partial interests in real property to donees and obtain fractional interest discounts for estate and gift tax purposes.
6. Health Care Power of Attorney: Instrument used to allow a person you name to make health care decisions for you should you become incapacitated.
7. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust: A trust used to prevent estate taxes on insurance proceeds received at the death of an insured.
8. Private Foundation: An entity used by higher wealth families to receive any otherwise taxable property so as to eliminate estate taxes on the death of a surviving spouse.
9. Property Power of Attorney: Instrument used to allow an agent you name to manage your property if you become incapacitated.
10. Revocable Living Trust: A device used to avoid probate and provide management of your property, during life and after death.
This article is not legal advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Actual legal advice can only be provided after consultation by an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.