Ashley Flotte’s Legal Blog

As the year draws to a close, most of us start thinking about our ‘New Year’s Resolutions.’ Year after year, it seems the most popular choices include resolving to lose weight, get organized, spend more time with family, quit smoking/drinking, or donate time to charity. At Smith & Garg, we wish you and your families [...]

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                As we approach the close of 2008, it’s important to recall the wealth transfer tax changes that are heading our way in the new year. Changes in the amounts that may be transferred free of tax in 2009 are being increased on both the federal estate tax and gift tax fronts.
                The Economic [...]

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           The thought of discussing lifetime gifting with your estate planning attorney may seem counterintuitive. After all, one typically visits their estate planning attorney to discuss matters such as distributing assets at death or planning for incapacity. Gifting, however, often serves a direct role in planning your estate, particularly when it comes to wealth transfer [...]

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I had the opportunity to attend the Bernstein 2008 Private Wealth Symposium this morning at the Houstonian Hotel in Houston. Hats off to Bernstein for hosting a first-rate seminar, complete with highly relevant material, excellent speakers, lovely ambiance and top-notch spread of refreshments.
Logically, a primary focus of the symposium was perspective in the current [...]

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As previously discussed, the media as well as the estate planning community continue to monitor the presidential candidates’ views on the fate of the federal estate tax. Another interesting article on the topic appeared on October 23rd by Floyd Norris of The New York Times. The following is an interesting excerpt from that piece:
“The [...]

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