Bethel Law Blog
Explore expert tips and legal insights on California estate planning, trusts, and probate law.
How to Manage Trustee Vacancies in California Trusts
Explore how to manage trustee vacancies in California trusts. Learn about the causes of trustee vacancies, the legal steps to fill them, and best practices to ensure your trust operates smoothly.
How Trump’s Policies Could Transform Estate and Tax Planning
Explore what another Trump administration could mean for estate planning, tax policies, and financial regulations. This article dives into the anticipated tax changes, estate planning implications, and investment opportunities under Trump’s return to office, providing insights for families, investors, and high-net-worth individuals.
Understanding 2025 Estate and Gift Tax Updates for Effective Planning
The IRS has increased the estate and gift tax exemptions for 2025, along with adjustments to income tax brackets and capital gains rates. Learn how these changes impact estate planning, potential state-level taxes, and strategies for wealth transfer in this detailed breakdown.
No Vesting, Big Problems: How to Avoid Property Deed Mistakes
Mistakes in property deeds, such as missing vesting language, can lead to costly probate cases and unintended property distribution. Learn about the critical importance of proper vesting in property deeds, the legal differences between Joint Tenancy and Tenants in Common, and how working with a legal professional can help you avoid legal nightmares.
The Kovel Letter: Extending Attorney-Client Privilege to Accountants
The Kovel Letter is a powerful legal tool that extends attorney-client privilege to communications with accountants. Learn how this agreement protects sensitive information in tax and trust administration cases, ensuring that your legal and financial strategies remain confidential.
The 2024 Tax Policy Showdown: How Democrats and Republicans Differ
Explore the stark differences in the 2024 tax policy platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties. From estate taxes to capital gains, 1031 exchanges, and the Child Tax Credit, this article offers an in-depth look at how these policies could impact estate planning and wealth management for high-net-worth individuals.
The 2024 Republican Platform and Tax Policy: Key Impacts on Wealth Transfer
The 2024 Republican platform focuses on reducing taxes and promoting economic growth through measures like extending the Trump Tax Cuts, preserving the stepped-up basis, and supporting 1031 exchanges. This blog explores how a Trump-Vance administration could impact estate taxes, capital gains, and generational wealth.
The 2024 Democratic Party Platform on Taxes: What You Need to Know
The 2024 Democratic Party platform is heavily focused on tax reform, particularly in the areas of estate taxes, capital gains, and wealth transfer. This article explores the party's key proposals on estate taxes, the stepped-up basis, and 1031 Exchanges, and what these changes mean for estate planning and wealth management.
Crummey Trusts: A Guide to Tax-Free Wealth Protection
Explore the benefits of Crummey Trusts in protecting and growing your family's wealth. Learn how these trusts work, their tax advantages, and strategies for maximizing their potential in estate planning.
How Project 2025 Could Reshape Income, Estate, and Gift Taxes
Explore the potential changes to U.S. income, estate, and gift taxes as proposed in Project 2025. Learn how these changes, if enacted, could impact tax brackets, exemptions, and rates, particularly for middle-income families and high-net-worth individuals.