Like many people who don’t expect to die in the near future, Anne Heche did not have a will. She leaves behind one minor child and one adult child, who is asking the court to be named her administrator. The Heche case follows in the footsteps of many celebrities—and regular people—who may not realize the […]
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IRS Waiving Late Filing Penalties
The IRS announced yesterday its waiving $1.2 billion in late-filing penalties for income tax returns, letting about 1.6 million taxpayers off the hook. What is behind this decision from an agency not known for forgiveness? From our perspective, the reason is less about caring for taxpayers and more about an organizational disaster. The IRS has […]
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Stephen J. Silverberg, Esq. Named to 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers® In Elder Law
For the ninth consecutive year, Stephen J. Silverberg has been selected by his peers in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Elder Law. For the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, over 12.2 million votes were cast, which resulted in over 71,000 leading lawyers honored in the […]
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Climate Change Bill Brings a Bright Spot of Good News for Americans
We welcome any good news in a dismal news cycle, but the healthcare provisions built into the “Inflation Reduction Act” are worth a special mention. The New York Times calls it “the most substantial changes to health policy since the passage of Obamacare in 2010.” Passed by the U.S. Senate on August 8 and expected […]
Continue reading…IRS Extends Time to File for Portability Election from Two to Five Years After Death
The IRS has added a rare spot of good news this summer. On July 8, the Internal Revenue Service released procedures extending the time when a surviving spouse can file an estate tax return to elect portability without a private letter ruling from two years after death to five years after death. Revenue Procedure 2022-32 […]
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SCOTUS Rules State Medicaid Programs Can Recoup a Larger Share of Personal Injury Settlements
Suppose you were injured due to another person’s negligence and your medical expenses were paid in whole or part by Medicaid. In that case, the state has a legal right to recover the funds it spends on your care from a personal injury settlement or award. In a case involving a Florida teen catastrophically injured […]
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Lack of Estate Planning Turns a Private Life into Public News: Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman, the actor known for performances in “Black Panther” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was only 43 when he died. Despite knowing he was seriously ill from colon cancer, he did not have a will, so Boseman’s family was tasked with managing his estate in a public manner, the direct opposite of how he […]
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How to Grill the Perfect Steak
Annual Summer BBQ Recipe Buy the steak Choose steaks best for grilling. Examples are flank steak, T-bone, tenderloin, and skirt steaks. With skirt steaks, always ask for an “outside” cut – it is larger, has more meat, and is more tender. Inside skirt steaks are thinner and tougher. They are primarily used for fajitas. The […]
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IRS Actuarial Tables Updated, Retirees Can Keep More in their IRAs
It has been 20 years since the IRS last updated its actuarial tables – the ones used to indicate how much taxpayers must take from their retirement accounts. For the first time in many years, retirees can keep more money in their tax-deferred accounts starting at age 72. The new tables reflect a longer lifespan, […]
Continue reading…Are You Ready for the SECURE Act’s Next Act? SECURE 2.0 Update
The latest version of SECURE Act 2.0, Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022, made it through the House of Representatives on March 29. Next is getting through the Senate, which is expected soon. Once it does, and after President Biden signs the bill into law, here’s what will change: Employees will be automatically enrolled […]
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