2016 tax year in reviewBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, February 2017A look back at last year and predictions of what's to come.
Legitimate income tax collection activity by Illinois?By Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, February 2017If your client tells you that the State of Illinois is exerting pressure to be paid, call this number before telling them to write the check.
Double deduction for prepaid farm expensesBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, January 2017The United States Tax Court issued its opinion on December 8, 2016 in the case of Estate of Steve K. Backemeyer v. Commissioner.
Tax ideas & suggestions for 2017By Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, January 2017News and noteworthy tidbits condensed from practitioner Paul Meints' annual client update letter.
2014 year in review— Income tax changes (Part 2)By Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, February 2015On December 19, 2014 the United States Congress passed and the President signed the “Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014” that is often referred to as an “extenders bill.” This article provides some thoughts to keep in mind related to the above referenced tax legislation.
2014 year in review—Income tax changes (Part 1)By Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, January 2015On December 19, 2014 the United States Congress passed and the President signed the “Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014” that is often referred to as an “extenders bill.” That is the good news. The bad news is that the extended provisions have already expired, ending December 31, 2014. All efforts at extending for two years failed. This article addresses some of the high points.
Practice Tip—Dealing with beneficiary election in your trustsBy Paul A. Meints & Darrell DiesTrusts and Estates, November 2013Some helpful language that an estate planner might utilize in the client’s inter vivos trust instrument to attempt to deal with the doctrine of election.
Practice tip—Estate tax return auditsBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, April 2013According to the “2012 Internal Revenue Service Data Book” issued March 25, 2013, the IRS scrutinized estate tax returns more than any category of individual tax returns in tax year 2011 at close to a 30 percent rate of examination.
Legal shield to the rescue?By Paul A. Meints & Darrell DiesTrusts and Estates, March 2013An overview of Legal Shield, which is essentially a form of prepaid legal plan or legal insurance.
The Doctrine of Necessaries—Coming to a state near you?By Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, February 2013In Emerson Village, LLC. v. Jode, a Massachusetts trial court recently ruled that a wife is legally responsible for the cost of her husband’s nursing home care under the doctrine of necessaries.
Practice tipBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, September 2012Looking for a decedent's social security number? Try this...
2012 Estate/gift/income tax pointersBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, January 2012A comprehensive guide to the tax-related questions and issues that may arise in the coming year.
For what it’s worth—Odds and endsBy Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, January 2012Recent tax and estate law updates of interest to agricultural law practitioners.
4H and FFA income taxBy Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, September 2008Your client’s 16-year-old child is involved with the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program at his high school.
Memorials for families with minor childrenBy Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, September 2007Normally the memorials selected represent a charitable interest that was important to the person while he or she was alive.
2007 General Assembly Agricultural Legislative UpdateBy Paul A. MeintsAgricultural Law, May 2007Editor’s Note – the following is as of the end of March, 2007, and gives us a good idea of where things stand as this sessions moves forward.
In support for will depository legislation for IllinoisBy Paul A. Meints & Ray J. Koenig, IIITrusts and Estates, October 20051. The concept of a will depository [being one and the same as a “will repository”] has been a goal of the Trusts and Estate’s Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association dating back to approximately 1988 when it was first proposed by Mr. Joseph LaRocco, an older sole practitioner in Chicago, now deceased, who was then a member of the Committee.
Recent developments and cases in IllinoisBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, March 2005Illinois has been quietly and effectively stepping up its collection program to recover benefits paid to people in nursing homes.
Planning pointerBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, December 2003On November 7, 2003, the U.S. Tax Court issued its 114-page opinion on the Estate of Eugene Stone's five family limited partnerships.
Practice tipsBy Paul A. MeintsTrusts and Estates, March 2003The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Lawyer Education Project of the Division of Transplantation, is asking bar association leaders to inform members of the need for organ donations and tissue transplants.
Drafting ideas for pet careBy Paul A. MeintsFamily Law, November 2002To many of your clients, pets are an important part of life. The level of emotional involvement (generally directly proportional to the amount of money the client is willing to spend on the pet's care) tends to vary from client to client.
Drafting ideas for pet careBy Paul A. MeintsTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2002To many of your clients, pets are an important part of life.
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