Estate Planning Under the Biden Administration
February 17, 2021

A new administration usually means that tax code changes may be looming.  While it remains unclear exactly what tax changes President Biden’s administration will usher in, two possibilities that may be proposed are (1) lowering the estate tax exemption and (2) eliminating the stepped-up basis on assets at death.  The first would affect only multi-millionaires, but the second could have an impact on more modest estates and their heirs. 

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the federal estate tax exemption from $5 million dollars to $10 million (both indexed for inflation).  Currently, the federal estate tax exemption is $11.7 million for individuals (up from $11.58 million in 2020) and $23.4 for married couples (up from $23.16 million in 2020).  As long as an estate is valued at under the exemption amount, there will not be federal estate taxes due.  In the United States, the vast majority of estates do not owe any federal estate tax.  President Biden has expressed an interest in repealing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which would have the effect of reducing the estate tax exemption to the 2017 federal exemption amount (adjusted for inflation) of approximately $5.6 million for individuals and $11.2 million for married couples.

Another possible tax change is to how property is valued when it is passed on at death. “Cost basis“ is the original value or purchase price of an asset or investment for tax purposes.  When determining whether a capital gains tax is owed on property, the basis is used to determine whether an asset has increased or decreased in value.  For example, if you purchase a stock for $10,000, that is the cost basis.  If you later sell it for $50,000, you will have to pay taxes on the $40,000 increase in value. 

Under current law, when an individual dies, the cost basis of the property owned by the decedent receives a “step-up” in basis.  This means the current or fair market value of the property as of the date of the decedent’s death (absent any alternative valuation) becomes the basis to the recipient(s) of the property.  For example, suppose you inherit a house that was purchased years ago for $50,000 and it is now worth $250,000.  You will receive a step up from the original cost basis from $50,000 to $250,000.  If you sell the property right away, you will not owe any capital gains taxes.

According to an article in the New York Times, the current administration may propose to eliminate the basis step-up rule.  In the past it was difficult to determine the original cost basis of some property, but in the digital age that information is more easily gathered.  This change could result in tax increases for many who inherit property that has risen significantly in value (i.e, a family home that has been passed down from generation to generation). 

An open question is whether either of these changes will be made retroactively.  It is unlikely, but possible, that if Congress changes these rules later this year, they could be made retroactive to the January 1st of this year. 

Tax experts agree that while changes to the tax code are likely, they probably will not happen right away.  The coronavirus pandemic and the recession it has triggered mean that Congress has other priorities at the moment.  However, now is the time to be proactive to protect your assets from the potential tax changes.


If you are concerned about these rules changing, give us a call to discuss the potential tax implications on your current estate plan or, if you have not already, to create an estate plan.  We will work with you to best protect your assets for your loved ones and to mitigate any adverse tax implications. 

Estate Planning: An Overview

February 15, 2023
Estate planning entails preparing your affairs for the future, including death and other life events. While older adults might give more thought to estate planning, it is an essential tool at any age. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT With estate planning, individuals and families can protect their interests during incapacity or after death. You can provide for a spouse, children, and dependent family members when you pass away. You can arrange your care and financial affairs should you suffer a severe accident or illness that renders you incapacitated. If you are a parent, you can appoint a guardian to care for and manage the inheritance of your minor children. If you own a business, you can prepare to transfer it to family members, colleagues, or other trusted individuals. You can make arrangements for your long-term care when you can no longer live on your own. You can also make funeral preparations, determine what happens to your body when you pass, and prepay for your funeral, all of which can help lessen the burden on your family members. WHAT IS AN ESTATE? Legacy planning entails passing on your estate. Your estate is everything you own, including: Savings and checking accounts Retirement accounts Investments Life insurance Annuities Houses and other real estate Cars Personal possessions, such as jewelry, furniture, and sentimental items When you die, your estate encompasses all your property upon death. If you sold or gave away property before death, it is no longer part of your estate, and you cannot transfer it upon death. Items you own with another person are also part of your estate. Depending on the type of asset, it might automatically pass to the other owner. For instance, if you own a home with your spouse as tenants by the entirety, it will pass to your spouse upon your death. WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLAN? An estate plan consists of legal documents and arrangements that determine the distribution of your assets when you die or outline your care if you become incapacitated. While a will can be a central component of an estate plan, a solid plan encompasses more than a will. It can also include legal tools that allow assets to pass outside of a will and probate (the process by which a court oversees the distribution of assets in a will). ESTATE PLANNING TOOLS In addition to your will, your estate plan could include the following: Purchasing jointly owned property or adding a joint owner to your property Designating a beneficiary on a pay-on-death bank account, retirement account, or annuity Buying life insurance to benefit your family should you pass away Creating a trust for a child Obtaining long-term care insurance to cover future nursing home or assisted living fees Executing power of attorney documents, naming health care and financial agents Making a living will, providing instructions for care should you become incapacitated Preparing a transfer on death instrument to pass ownership of your property to a beneficiary upon death WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLANNER? As professionals helping people make future arrangements, estate planners are attorneys who focus on end-of-life preparations. Estate planning attorneys assist people with drafting legal documents and understanding laws and taxes that could affect them and the loved ones they will leave behind. When creating estate plans, individuals may need to consult attorneys as well as other experts, including financial planners, accountants, life insurance advisors, bankers, and real estate brokers. WHAT DOES THE FINAL DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS INVOLVE? The final distribution of assets is a conclusory step in the probate process before the court closes probate. When an estate goes through probate, the personal representative or executor must satisfy all debts, and the court must resolve all disputes before allowing the beneficiaries to receive the assets. At the end of the probate process, ownership of the assets of the estate is transferred to the beneficiaries. DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR ESTATE PLANNING? Although the law does not require that individuals secure legal representation to make estate plans, many find the support and guidance of estate planning attorneys invaluable. An estate planning attorney can help you identify the legal tools and strategies that suit your needs, as well as draft the necessary documents, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. In addition to addressing tax concerns and drafting documents, these attorneys can help you avoid probate. Probate, the process by which the court oversees the distribution of assets in a will, can be expensive and time-consuming for surviving family members. It also opens the door for disgruntled people to challenge the validity of the testamentary document, further complicating asset distribution. An estate planning attorney could help you organize your assets to transfer outside of probate to make the transfers simpler, easier, and less vulnerable to challenges. When you are ready to create an estate plan, contact Jayde Law PLLC.

Three Things to Know About Being an Executor

February 1, 2023
An executor (or personal representative) is a person or entity you choose to carry out your last wishes outlined in your will. Your executor should be someone you trust is responsible enough to manage your estate after you pass away. Choosing an executor is a big decision when it comes to estate planning. So, what should you know about an executor? What should you consider before naming an executor? Here are answers to three common questions about executors. Can an Executor Decide Who Gets What? No. In most circumstances, an executor cannot decide who gets what property. Executors are responsible for carrying out the decedent’s wishes as outlined in the will. However, if the decedent did not distribute all their assets in their will, in some circumstances, the executor may be able to decide how to distribute the unassigned property. Can an Executor of a Will Be a Beneficiary? Yes. An executor can also be a beneficiary of the will. It is common for people to have their surviving spouse or children act as the executor of their estate. This choice can be cost-effective if you have a small or simple estate. Another benefit of having a family member act as the executor of your estate is they are familiar with your wishes. They know you, and they understand how you want your assets divided. If you forget to state where property goes in your will, an executor that knows you well is more likely to give those assets to the correct beneficiaries. How Long Does the Executor Have to Pay the Beneficiaries? The short answer is: It depends. The executor should work diligently to get each beneficiary paid as soon as possible. While the executor is responsible for ensuring beneficiaries receive the money or property they were left in the will, the probate process may delay beneficiaries from receiving a payout. Depending on the size of the estate and the debts and taxes the estate owes, it may take anywhere from six months to more than one year for a beneficiary to receive an inheritance. The probate process varies depending on the state, but the typical process goes like this: Submit the Will for Probate — Part of the executor’s responsibility to the estate is to file the will with the probate court. Filing the will begins the probate process. Once completed, the beneficiaries are one step closer to receiving their inheritance. The time executors have to file a will with the probate court varies by state. File an Inventory — An inventory of estate assets is required. As part of an inventory, the executor determines the total value of all estate property, money, and other assets. A completed inventory can then be used by the executor to determine whether federal or state taxes apply, or whether assets will be used to settle debts. Pay Taxes and Debts — Before the executor can distribute any assets to beneficiaries, estate debts and taxes must be paid. The executor is responsible for ensuring these payments are made. Creating a complete estate plan can be overwhelming. With the help of an experienced estate planning attorney, you can ease some of the anxieties you may be facing in thinking about estate planning. If you are ready to start the estate planning process give Jayde Law PLLC a call..