On Monday, May 18, 2015, in Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynne, the United States Supreme Court declared Maryland’s income tax scheme unconstitutional. The Supreme Court justices voted 5 to 4 to affirm a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that Maryland’s income tax scheme results in improper double taxation on income earned in […]
Sir Walter Scott wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave.” Buyers seeking to purchase a business that is partially held in a trust may face this tangle more than others. They wonder, “With whom am I actually doing the deal?” and, “What are my legal rights should the deal fall through?” On the flip […]
On June 12, 2014, the United States Supreme Court held that funds in an inherited individual retirement account (IRA) are not “retirement funds” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code, and therefore such funds are not exempt from creditor claims in bankruptcy proceedings. Ordinarily, when a debtor files for bankruptcy relief, his or her legal […]
Effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 26 U.S.C. § 1411 imposes a 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax on individuals, estates and trusts which have “Net Investment Income” and modified adjusted gross income above specified statutory threshold amounts. For individuals, the tax is imposed on the lesser of: (A) […]
Wisconsin is a marital property state, and the applicable laws are set forth in the Marital Property Act (the “Act”), codified in Chapter 766 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Act determines the property rights of married spouses during life and at death. The Act applies to a married couple after their “determination date,” which is […]
In a durable power of attorney, the principal appoints someone to oversee his financial affairs, including in the event he becomes incompetent as a result of injury or illness. A broad durable power of attorney may authorize the agent to take any action as fully and effectually in all respects as the principal could do […]
