| Federal Estate-Tax Return - Deductions |
| To be deductible, death-related expenses must be necessary, reasonable, allowable under state law, and have been paid (or be payable) by the estate. The IRS will attempt to disallow deductions for expenses that are not necessary to pay the dents or taxes of the estate or to preserve the estate or distribute it. More... |
| Estate-Tax Valuation -- Other Assets |
| Life insurance on the decedent that is received by or for the benefit of the estate is taxed in the estate. (Note that many state death taxes do not require inclusion, or provide special partial exclusions for life insurance proceeds.) The amount should be the amount received by the beneficiary, including any dividends and premium refunds paid to the beneficiary.More... |
| Trusts, Public and Private - I |
| An express trust is either public or private. A public trust, also known as a charitable trust, is an express trust created for a charitable purpose. If an express trust is not a charitable trust, it is deemed to be a private trust. A private trust is an express trust created to benefit a few persons. This article discusses some aspects of public and private trusts.More... |
| Living Wills -- Life-Prolonging Procedures |
| Your healthcare decisions are likely to be influenced by many factors, including your medical history, your knowledge of other people's experiences, or your religious beliefs. While putting together your living will, you should become familiar with the kinds of medical procedures that are most commonly administered to patients who are seriously ill. Of course, the types of medical procedures that are available change as time passes. Additionally, the treatments that are available vary by region, depending on the sophistication and financing of medical facilities. More... |
| Power of Attorney for Finances -- Formalities |
| There are a few technical requirements with which you must comply before a power of attorney for finances will be considered legally valid and binding. More... |
