Dec 10, 2019 | Estate Planning
In July 2020 Floridians will be able to create “electronic wills” expressing how they wish their property to be distributed upon death, audio and videotaping the entire process. One must read several chapters of the Florida statutes dealing with Wills, Notary Publics,...
Jun 6, 2019 | Estate Planning
People of all ages need a will, because if you do not have one, the state statutes will decide which family members will receive your assets at your death and that decision should be yours Imagine you are in your late twenties, you have been happily married for five...
Nov 29, 2018 | Estate Planning
When I was young I did not appreciate my father’s insistence on a simple and short name not easily changed into a nickname. In all “legal” documents I have always used my simple first name “Dana.” But now I realize with the Federal Patriot Act...
May 29, 2018 | Estate Planning
Five Practical Things I’ve Learned About Social Security and Medicare: Set up an online account with Social Security and get an annual statement of your future benefits each year as soon as you start earning any income. A close friend of mine years ago had a tax...
Feb 1, 2017 | Estate Planning
Part of what we do at Blalock Walters is assist surviving family members with administrative matters after the death of a loved one. It’s at that point in time when the effectiveness of the decedent’s estate plan is tested. So, to help our clients develop estate...
Oct 4, 2016 | Estate Planning, Tax Law
In August, 2016 the IRS issued long anticipated proposed regulations under Section 2704 of the Internal Revenue Code that, if finalized, will substantially impact the estate and gift tax planning of family owned businesses. Pursuant to the proposed 2704 regulations,...