By: MICHAEL J. SCHAUM* I. INTRODUCTION: A NEW STRATEGY TO INCREASE BASIS IN APPRECIATED ASSETS Estate planning attorneys focus most of their practice on passing their client’s wealth down to a designated beneficiary at death. The estate planner’s typical client is a wealthy, high net-worth individual who holds a number of valuable assets. The ultimate…

It goes without saying that end-of-life estate planning isn’t exactly fun. But while the topic may seem morose, depressing and maybe even a little scary, it’s also a critical aspect of managing your assets and protecting your family, which is why it’s surprising that 2 out of 3 Americans are unprepared for the inevitable, according…

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is very difficult. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or a loved one has recently received this news, you’re likely coping with grief about lost opportunities, anxiety about what the future holds and worry about everything that needs to be organized. If this is impacting you, you’re not alone. It’s estimated…

I have had many unique estate planning clients over the years and one of the most important things I’ve learned is that you need to be a really good listener and take the extra time to understand their perspective and what makes them tick.

I’ve had numerous cases where the client was more concerned about their pets than any other people. Florida has a statute which allows for the creation of “Pet Trusts” and there are various measures that can be taken to plan for your pet after one’s death.

Budgeting and planning for your final arrangements and funeral service are probably the last thing you want to think about. They’re also the last major decisions of your life story….and there is no need to fear preparing for what is just part of the circle of life. Here at the Beth El Mausoleum in Boca Raton, Florida, we…

Proposed Sweeping Changes To The Estate and Gift Tax Lawsby Mark A. Schaum, Esquire, CPA Over the years, I’ve heard this sentiment expressed with respect to fashion trends. Never have I heard it expressed with respect to tax laws, but it seems that as it relates to the tax bills introduced into the Senate on…

By Samantha Schaum, J.D. The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has raised new healthcare concerns that did not previously exist. As of November 16, 2020, the United States has recorded more than 11 million new cases of the virus, and outbreaks continue to rise throughout the country. In addition to drafting a Living Will, some people…

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act recently took effect on January 1, 2020. The purpose of this legislation is to improve America’s retirement system by creating more options to save for retirement and to make it easier for businesses to offer retirement plans to their employees. This legislation was spurred by…

By: Samantha Schaum What is Elder Fraud? Elder Fraud is the exploitation, abuse or misappropriation of an elder’s finances by a person in a position of trust. This type of fraud specifically targets senior citizens: people 60 years old or older. The defrauder can be someone the elder knows, such as a family member or…