Does your domestic entity have foreign assets which must be reported on the IRS Form 8938? The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act or FATCA requires many US corporations, LLCs, trusts and partnerships which hold foreign investments or financial assets to disclose them on the form 8938. If a US trust...
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...
Keys to Successful Business Succession Planning
What are the keys to successful business succession planning and when should you start? If you own a business, from an LLC to a large multinational corporation, you should have a succession plan in place. The unfortunate fact is less than 20% of California business owners have actually implemented a...
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...
A Trust Protects Your Beneficiaries
A trust protects your beneficiaries and ensures they receive your gifts in the best way for their unique circumstances. Your children, extended family and friends, causes and institutions receive your gift directly or "in trust." Many beneficiaries receive the assets you've assigned to them free and clear from all oversight...
Every San Diego Homeowner Should Have a Trust
We have often written that every San Diego homeowner should have a trust due to the high costs of probate and the time involved. Yet most San Diegans don't even have a will, let alone an estate plan which includes a trust. What should a homeowner know and why should...
How can a Trust Help a San Diego Home Owner
A revocable trust is most often the most advantageous way to take title to real estate. How can a trust help a San Diego home owner or a married couple? The estate planning and trust attorneys at Allen Barron can help you to establish a revocable trust in an efficient...
Review and Update your Trust in San Diego
You should review and update your trust in San Diego every two to three years. If you have created an estate plan that includes a revocable trust or multiple layers of trusts it is important to review changes in federal and state law, as well as the health of associated...
What is a PFIC and Why are the Taxes So High?
What is a PFIC and why are the taxes associated with PFICs so high? A Passive Foreign Investment Company or PFIC is classified by the IRS as a foreign corporation or entity who meets either an asset test or income test established by the agency. The asset test is based...