Estate Planning for the GLBT Community
American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine! Robert Armstrong, President of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, was interviewed by Money Magazine senior writer Penelope Wang for her article " A Midlife Money Checkup" in the March 2008 Issue. The article was part of the Cover Story "A Boomer's Guide to Financial Freedom" that included multiple articles focusing on financial trends, aging well and other issues Baby Boomers are facing today. This is the third mention of the American Academy of Estate Planning by Money Magazine in the last seven issues. The "Midlife Money Checkup" is a nine-step test that highlights questions Boomer's should be asking themselves at this point in their lives. Mr. Armstrong's expertise in estate planning was highlighted in question five, "Is your estate plan in order?" Make sure you don't have to ask yourself that question by meeting with a qualified attorney.
Upcoming Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Attorney Jeff Fleming invites you to join him at the signing of his book "Guiding Those Left Behind in Pennsylvania.” The book signing will be held at Barnes & Noble in Logan Towne Center in Altoona on February 10th at 1:30pm. For more information, please call (814) 943-5500.
American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine The September issue of Money Magazine has an article entitled,"20 Timeless Money Rules." Rule 17, Exiting Gracefully, is particularly significant because it emphasizes the importance of putting together your estate plan. The recommendation of Money Magazine is that you search for a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys: "To find a lawyer, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations or get referrals online at the website of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (aaepa.com)." The American Academy is an exclusive membership organization for law firms dedicated to estate planning. We are proud of our Academy membership and pleased to be the only law firm in the central Pennsylvania area accepted into this prestigious organization. For more information about why our membership is so important to your family, click here.
New Book Released! Guiding Those Left Behind in Pennsylvania Jeff Fleming has recently co-authored a book titled "Guiding Those Left Behind in Pennsylvania" with attorney Amelia Pohl. This book covers topics such as wills, trusts, business planning, health care and Medicaid Planning.
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Terri Shiavo 1st Anniversary Terri Schiavo, one year later: Only 29% of Americans have a living will. March 31, 2006 marks the one year anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death. More than any other story, Ms. Schiavo’s situation brought the need for living wills and other advance directives to the forefront of everyone’s attention. In the past year, an unprecedented number of people have explored their personal health care desires and made plans for their end-of-life wishes.
ESTATE PLANNING NEWS What are the OddsThis article examines the need to plan for the unexpected. It gives statistics for the odds of disability and of death from various likely and unlikely causes. It shows the importance to plan for the one certainty in life, i.e., death.
ESTATE PLANNING NEWS Gifting to ChildrenThis article examines gifting strategies for transfers in trust to minors. Specifically, it looks at Crummey trusts and 2503(c) trusts and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
CLIENT NEWSLETTERS Your Estate Matters Newsletter, Vol. 13.3
Articles included in this issue:
EDUCATIONAL ALERTS IRS Rules That Tuition Paid for Special Needs Child is a Deductible Medical ExpenseThe Alert examines a recent private letter ruling which allowed the taxpayer to deduct school tuition for a special needs child as a medical expense.
EDUCATIONAL FYIs CMS Technical Director Opines That States May Impose Penalty on Community Spouse Post- Eligibility TransfersRoy R. Trudel, a Technical Director at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") recently opined that a state agency has the option of imposing a transfer penalty on an institutionalized spouse if the community spouse transfers protected resources after the institutionalized spouse's eligibility has been determined. Mr. Trudel's opinion, which is a reversal from statements made by previous CMS (HCFA) officials, came about as the result of an email exchange between elder law attorney Robert Mason of North Carolina and himself.