What We’re Thinking

In the closing days of 2012, Congressional action, in the midst of discussions on avoiding a fiscal cliff, renewed the enhanced tax incentives for donations of conservation easements made in 2012 and 2013. A conservation easement is a donation of certain rights in property to a qualified non-profit land trust with permanent restrictions as to […]

When landlords come to me asking that I evict their tenant because they have not paid their rent, their first question is: How quickly can I get the tenant out ?  Usually I answer that question with a question: Is there signed a lease?  In many instances there is a written lease; however, in the

From 2012: By Arthur C. Weinshank, Dolores R. Schiesel, and Peter J. Harrison Many couples encountering Medicaid share a common dilemma: how to protect their assets when one spouse requires skilled nursing facility care? Until a few weeks ago, if a couple in this situation had a house, a car, a prepaid funeral contract for

From 2012: By Arthur C. Weinshank, Esq., Dolores R. Schiesel, Esq., and Peter J. Harrison, Esq. Long term care is a scary topic for many families in America. Older couples wonder how they will care for each other while retaining their independence and quality of life. Adult children wonder how they can balance raising their

From 2011: By Arthur C. Weinshank, Esq. and Dolores R. Schiesel, Esq. The roller coaster ride of state and federal gift and estate taxes continues as 2011 comes to a close.  Even with uncertainty into 2013 on those tax consequences, certain actions now will help as you consider your estate plan. You should first review

From 2011: By Arthur C. Weinshank, Dolores R. Schiesel, and Peter J. Harrison Why are we told that we should have a will? When you die without a will, you give up your voice in what should and should not be done with your legacy. When you die intestate (without a will), the law categorizes

From 2010: The federal estate tax has been in a state of constant flux and change over the past decade. In 2002 and 2003 the federal estate tax exemption was low at $1,000,000, but by 2009 the exemption was at its height sitting at $3,500,000 per individual.  Then in 2010, the Federal Estate tax was