THE BASICS

• Do I need estate planning?
  
• When should you review your estate planning?
  

• Overview
  
• What assets are included in the federal estate tax?
  
• Are assets held in trust subject to the federal estate tax?
  
• Is jointly owned property subject to the federal estate tax?
  
• Is life insurance subject to the federal estate tax?
  
• Is there an estate tax on property passing to a spouse?
  
• What is the amount of property exempt from estate taxes?
  

• Overview
  
• What is a family limited partnership?
  
• How is a family limited partnership organized?
  
• Does a family limited partnership provide asset protection?
  
• What are the advantages of family limited partnership gift giving?
  
• For what purposes can a family limited partnership be set up?
  

• Overview
  
• What is a "crummey power"?
  
• From where did the name "crummey" come?
  
• Does the trust immediately protect the life insurance proceeds from estate taxes?
  

• Overview
  
• How much can I give away without incurring a gift tax?
  
• Can spouses use two gift tax exemptions if only one of them pays for the gift?
  
• Who files the gift tax return?
  
• If a name is added to a joint bank account, is that a taxable gift?
  
• If gifts are made to a trust, how many exemptions are allowed?
  

• Overview
  
• What is probate and what does it involve?
  
• What are probate assets?
  
• What is a living trust
  
• What is the probate procedure for small estates?
  

• Overview
  
• What is the difference between a testamentary trust and a living trust?
  
• What is the difference between a living trust and an intervivos trust?
  
• If I have a trust do I need a will?
  
• Does a trust protect my assets from creditors?
  
• How do I avoid estate taxes?
  
• What is a qualified domestic trust?
  
• What is a special needs trust?
  
• What is a qtip trust?
  
• What is a charitable remainder trust?
  
• Is it important to put assets into my trust during my lifetime?