What is a legal trust and why should you consider one if you are a homeowner or are part of a blended family in San Diego? A trust is a common legal tool which allows your assets to pass to your beneficiaries without having to go through the time and...
Estate Planning for Small Business Owners and S Corporations with No Employees
Allen Barron provides tax and estate planning for small business owners and S Corporations without employees as part of our integrated tax, legal, estate planning, accounting and business advisory services. Many small business owners mistakenly believe business succession planning and estate planning is for those with substantial wealth. This is...
Taxation of Pass Through Income Versus Salaried Earnings
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the taxation of pass through income versus salaried earnings as US taxpayers assess their positions after tax reform. This is far from "finished" and a wild roller-coaster ride is about to ensue for many US taxpayers. How will you know what to do? ...
Your San Diego Business Succession Plan – “You Make the Plan, or a Plan Will Be Made for You!”
Why should you be thinking about your San Diego business succession plan as the year comes to a close? The National Law Review recently asked a great question: "Who is the better planner for your (business) affairs - You or the State? You Make the Plan, or a Plan Will...
Even If Washington Raises the Estate Tax Exemption to $10 Million You Should Still Have a Trust
Even if Washington raises the estate tax exemption to $10 Million you should still have a trust, especially if you are a home owner. Why? The short answer is time, money and saving a lot of hassle for your loved ones, heirs and beneficiaries. Raising the exemption on federal estate...
How Should a Couple Take Title to Their Home
How should a couple take title to their home if they intend to keep it? How is the asset to be taxed after both spouses pass? Many couples keep the asset in "Joint Tenancy" which allows the asset to avoid probate upon the death of one of the spouses. Upon...
The Step Up Advantage of a Revocable Trust
What is the step up advantage of a revocable trust here in California? How can a revocable trust not only pass money and assets to your beneficiaries but save a substantial amount of tax in the process? The answer lies in an understanding of short term and long term capital...
Haven’t Updated Your Estate Plan in a While – Reasons Not to Wait
The Wall Street Journal recently wrote a warning in case you haven't updated your estate plan in a while and reasons not to wait. We've seen the same scenarios in our decades of services as estate planning, trust and tax attorneys here in San Diego and throughout the Southwest. Usually...
Protecting Your Home from a Medi-Cal Lien
Protecting your home from a Medi-Cal lien is possible based upon a new California law which took effect January 1 of this year. Previously, California's Medi-Cal program was able to recover money from people who were 55 years or older who received medical services under agency programs. If the family...