News & Updates

A recent change in Maryland’s “spousal election law” (effective October 1, 2020) could significantly impact estate plans for married individuals, particularly those with “blended families.”  A brief synopsis of this change is available HERE.   Certain strategies available under prior law to ensure the effectiveness of a married individual’s estate plan may

We are looking for a motivated paralegal to join our busy Estates and Trusts practice. The successful candidate's primary responsibility will be to assist with Estate and Trust administration, including the preparation of probate filings, tax returns, and correspondence. Excellent organization and communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel

Hassani, Focas and Fifer, P.A., an Estates and Trusts specialty firm in Towson, Maryland, seeks an associate attorney to join its growing practice.  This is a partner-track position offering top compensation and generous benefits for qualified applicants and an opportunity for rapid advancement. Because our practice relies heavily on IT solutions,

This article is part of a series of articles addressing various issues with DIY planning.  An introduction to this topic was published on February 12, 2020. Now, we address perhaps the most troubling aspect of the DIY estate planning arrangement – no one can be held responsible if the plan

Business owners often have a substantial portion of their wealth invested in their businesses and related real estate.  This creates challenges in satisfying the desire to retain control, transfer value to children or other family members, and to minimize potential estate tax.  Recapitalization of a business’ stock (or membership interest

Many people, particularly young adults, do not prioritize establishing or maintaining an estate plan. This may be for a myriad of reasons. One explanation we hear from many is that they believe their assets would pass the same way by law if they died intestate (without a will) as they

Our office is now open during regular business hours, and we are operating at full capacity.  We remain cognizant of the risk posed by COVID-19 and are taking proper precautions in accordance with the latest medical advice.  This includes social distancing, frequently sanitizing our office space, and wearing masks when

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, enacted in response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, includes several provisions that modify retirement account contribution and distribution rules.  For example: Retirement account owners may withdraw up to $100,000 from retirement accounts without penalty. Income tax on withdrawals may be paid

Governor Hogan authorizes remote notarization and witnessing during COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 health crisis presents a unique challenge for estate planning attorneys.  Traditionally, most estate plan documents were executed under the attorney’s direct supervision in a face to face meeting.  Obviously, it is difficult to accommodate today’s “social distancing” guidelines

Like the rest of the world, our firm is adapting to new ways of doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are committed to providing quality legal services in a manner that is safe for our clients, professional partners, and members of our firm.  The following are some measures we

  Because of the simplification of estate tax planning and the rise in probate avoidance techniques, we are finding that, for many, the only asset that is governed by a decedent’s Will is their car. Traditionally, the decedent’s family would have to open a small estate to transfer title to the vehicle. 

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU Online services like LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer allow customers to produce Wills and other estate planning documents inexpensively without the assistance of an attorney.  Understandably, many consumers are attracted by low upfront costs; however, they fail to appreciate the dangers and shortcomings of eliminating

  Clients often consult us before making substantial gifts.  We find that many of these clients have similar misunderstandings about the tax implications of sizable gifts.  These misunderstandings frequently stem from statements by family, friends, or even other professionals.  The following is our attempt to answer and simplify some common gift

  If your closely held corporation has multiple stockholders, you should have a Buy-Sell Agreement. A Buy-Sell Agreement, also known as a Stockholder Agreement, or Restrictive Stock Transfer Agreement, is an agreement between the shareholders that governs the management and control of a business upon a shareholder’s death, incapacity, bankruptcy, termination of

For most young people, turning 18 is a formative event.  It often means graduating from high school, going off to college, and/or starting a career.  For parents, it means that their child is no longer a child, figuratively and legally.  Most people recognize that 18 is the age of majority,

1.  What is the Spousal Election? We enjoy considerable freedom in choosing who should and should not benefit from our property at death. We can disinherit children and grandchildren and instead benefit charities, friends, or any other individual or organization. However, the American legal system has historically protected widows and widowers

Recent tax law changes have significantly increased both the Federal Estate Tax and Maryland Estate Tax exemptions.  As of January 1, 2019, the Federal exemption per individual is $11.4 Million and scheduled to increase annually with inflation.  The Maryland exemption is frozen at $5 Million per individual.  Married couples can

Several new laws pertinent to estates and trusts were passed during the 2019 Maryland General Assembly legislative session.  The following are summaries of the most significant. Surviving Spouse's Elective Share:  Maryland law has long included statutory provisions designed to protect a surviving spouse from disinheritance.  But a combination of modern probate

A common issue we confront with our business owner clients is a failure to adequately maintain fundamental business records.  While the following discusses the importance of maintaining a corporate minute book, the same considerations apply to the governing documents for other types of entities, partnerships, limited liability companies, etc. A corporation’s

Parents of young children often worry about who will take care of their children if the parents die prematurely. Understandably, most parents’ primary concern in this regard is the day-to-day welfare of the children – i.e., who will ensure adequate shelter, clothing, food, education, etc.  The person responsible for these matters

Personal Representatives (PRs) of Maryland probate estates are normally required to file detailed accountings of estate financial transactions with the Register of Wills, which are then approved by the Orphans’ Court.  This can be tedious and costly. Responding to public pressure for simplification, the Maryland legislature in 1997 enacted a statute

Most of our estate planning clients want the same thing: for their assets to pass to the people they love.  For our clients with children, this typically means they ultimately want to benefit their descendants (i.e., their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on).  This article discusses one of the fundamental

  The following is some commonly relevant federal and Maryland income tax information for estates and trusts.  Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference. Ordinary Income Tax Rates for Estates and Trusts 2018 Federal Income Tax Rates for Estates and Trusts Taxable Net Income Federal Tax Not over $2,550 10% of taxable income Over $2,550 but not

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), effective January 1, 2018, significantly alters income tax planning considerations for individuals and businesses but also impacts fiduciary income tax planning for estates and trusts. One notable change is the elimination of miscellaneous itemized deductions for estates, trusts and their beneficiaries.  Under prior law, many

Very few Marylanders need to worry about Estate Tax when creating or revising their estate plans.  Effective January 1, 2019, only married couples with assets in excess of $10 Million and individuals with assets greater than $5 Million are subject to the tax. The Federal Estate Tax exemption for 2019 is