Wills and Trusts National News & Articles

The following is the latest national news related to wills, trusts, probate and elder law issues. For local, regional news, please visit our state resources.

• SEC Launches New Offensive to Alert Investors
  sec.gov, Apr 15, 2008
  The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the launch of its latest offensive targeting online boiler rooms, cold calls, and other potentially fraudulent fina
  
  
• Nevada Bars Man From Promoting Sham Trust Scheme
  U.S. Department of Justice, Dec 11, 2007
  A federal court in Las Vegas has permanently barred James DiLullo of Las Vegas from preparing tax returns and promoting a fraudulent tax scheme
  
  
• FDIC Issues List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance
  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Oct 18, 2007
  The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions
  
  
• Offender Banned from Asset Protection Service
  FTC, Oct 10, 2007
  A scammer was banned from telemarketing and from selling any type of business program in the future.
  
  
• Protecting Your Family Fortune Through FDIC Insured Bank Accounts
  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Oct 05, 2007
  How to pass funds on to your heirs and make sure you're fully covered by federal deposit insurance.
  
  
• SEC Charges Brokerage Firms a for Failing to Supervise Former Rep Who Defrauded Customers
  Security Exchange Commission, Sep 07, 2007
  The SEC's Order against Commonwealth finds that it failed to establish reasonable policies and procedures for responding to red flags
  
  
• Judiciary Offer Free Seminar on Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
  The State of Hawaii, Aug 16, 2007
  Attorney Patricia Lee will discuss legal points to consider when developing wills and trusts and give an overview of estate planning
  
  
• Lake Worth Tax Preparer Convicted Tax Fraud Charges
  The United States Department of Justice, Jul 23, 2007
  56-count indictment was returned charging Ratfield with preparing for clients and himself fraudulent federal individual and trust income tax returns,
  
  
• Pre-paid Funeral Scam Targets Elderly; Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Urges Senior Citizens and their Families to Check Their Policies
  Calfornia State Government, May 07, 2007
  Pre-paid Funeral Scam Targets Elderly; Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Urges Senior Citizens and their Families to Check Their Policies
  
  
• Beware of Living Trust & Probate Scams
  FTC, Apr 26, 2007
  Misinformation and misunderstanding about probate and estate taxes provide a ripe environment for scam artists to prey on older consumers' fears that their estates will b
  
  
• Probate VS Non Probate Assets
  Staff Writer , Apr 18, 2007
  But the thing that most people get confused with is what qualifies as probate and non probate assets.Knowing the difference can save your family money.
  
  
• Georgia Federal Court Bars Promotion Of Alleged Offshore Trust Tax Scheme
  usdoj.gov, Mar 29, 2007
  The complaint stated that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimated that the trust scheme cost the U.S. Treasury over $5 million since 1998
  
  
• Self-Proclaimed CPA Sentenced For Role In Fraud Scheme
  irs.gov, Mar 15, 2007
  White was sentenced to 60 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $5 million in restitution
  
  
• Clinton Proposes Legislation To Support the Children Of Single Parents Who Lose Their Lives
  clinton.senate.gov, Mar 07, 2007
  Addresses the Growing Problem of Grandparents and Relatives Raising Slain Servicemembers' Children who are Denied Death Gratuity Payments
  
  
• Understanding Wills And Trusts Terms
  nclc.org, Feb 08, 2007
  A will is a legal document that gives direction about how to distribute property after death. It does not take effect until the person's death.
  
  
• Edwards Votes for Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act
  house.gov, Jan 25, 2007
  The bill would permanently repeal the estate tax for estates worth up to $5 million for individuals and $10 million for married couples.
  
  
• 2006 Inflation Adjustments Widen Tax Brackets, Change Tax Benefits
  irs.gov, Jan 11, 2007
  Personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise, tax brackets will widen and individuals will be able to make larger tax-free gifts in 2006
  
  
• Agencies Release Annual CRA Asset-Size Threshold Adjustments for Small and Intermediate Small Banks
  fdic.gov, Jan 05, 2007
  Annual increases to these asset-size thresholds are based on the year-to-year change in the average of the Consumer Price Index
  
  
• Trust Promoters Sold Tax Schemes Through American Business And Estate Planning
  Department Of Justice, Oct 04, 2006
  The defendants falsely advised customers that they could avoid paying income taxes if they placed their income and assets in pure equity trusts...
  
  
• Two Trust Promoters Convicted Of Tax Crimes
  Press Release, Sep 20, 2006
  The defendants falsely advised customers that they could avoid paying income taxes if they placed their income and assets in pure equity trusts
  
  
• Bill Would Eliminate Estate Tax For 99 Percent Of Americans
  Press Release, Sep 13, 2006
  Those who are still required to pay the estate tax would have much lower rates.
  
  
• New Study Documents Destructive Effects Of The Estate Tax
  Press Release, Sep 06, 2006
  The complex estate tax fosters clever estate planning and tax avoidance, and imposes costs that are excessive given the static estimates of revenue raised
  
  
• Push For Living Wills Awareness Gains Momentum
  Press Release, Aug 30, 2006
  This legislation would improve access to information about individuals health care options
  
  
• Living Wills
  Press Release, Aug 23, 2006
  According to the U.S. Living Will Registry 75% of Americans want to prepare an advance directive but only 30% have actually done it.
  
  
• Living Wills: Tips On Creating Living Will or Health Care Proxy
  Press Release, Aug 16, 2006
  News stories this spring prompted many people to think about, if not actually prepare, living wills or health care proxies.
  
  
• Rokita Releases Unlucky 13 List of Investor Traps for2006
  Press Release, Aug 09, 2006
  Scams come in many disguises, but they all share a common goal of separating victims from their money.
  
  
• Benefits And Types Of Trust Funds
  pueblo.gsa.gov, Jul 06, 2006
  An after-death trust will come into existence, usually by virtue of a will, after a person's death
  
  
• Ethnicity Needs Living Will Legal Document For End-of-Life Care
  healthfinder.gov, Jun 15, 2006
  Found that Arab-Americans and African-Americans have starkly different expectations of where they want to spend their last days
  
  
• Elements Of A Legal Will
  pueblo.gsa.gov, Jun 01, 2006
  In most cases, a surviving parent assumes the role of sole guardian
  
  
• More Americans Have Living Wills
  healthfinder.gov, Apr 04, 2006
  The poll of 1,500 adults conducted in early November 2005 found that 29 percent of people had wills
  
  
• Benefits Of Establishing A Trust Fund
  pueblo.gsa.gov, Dec 07, 2005
  To provide for minor children or family members who lack financial experience
  
  
• Living Trust Offers How to Make Sure They're Trust-worthy
  ftc.gov, Oct 14, 2005
  It's only natural that you want some control over what happens to your assets in the event of your death.
  
  
• Caregivers Are Among America's Unsung Heroes
  fdic.gov, Jul 21, 2005
  They're the millions of people assisting an ill or elderly spouse, parent, child or other loved one with everything from medications and bathing
  
  
• Deposit Insurance Corporation
  fdic.gov, Jul 13, 2005
  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  
  
• Description Of A Proposed Reorganization
  ftc.gov, Jun 30, 2005
  Description Of A Proposed Reorganization Which Ultimately Results In The Direct Ownership By Two Family Trust
  
  
• Your First Thought Is To Take Care
  Enter Source, Jun 29, 2005
  When Loved Ones Are Ill, Your First Thought Is To Take Care Of Them And That Often Includes Assisting With Their Finances
  
  
• Legal Document Preparation Franchisors Settle Ftc Charges
  ftc.gov, Jun 22, 2005
  A company that sells legal document preparation franchises has agreed to pay a $286,000 civil penalty
  
  
• Doctors Not Heeding Living Wills Hypothetical
  healthfinder.gov, Jun 01, 2005
  Living Wills Hypothetical Survey Finds Patient's Desires Often Superseded
  
  
• The End May Well Be More Painful
  healthfinder.gov, Jun 01, 2005
  Why End-Of-Life Directives Are Crucial
  
  
• FDIC Receives No Federal Tax Dollars Insured Financial Institutions Fund
  fdic gov, May 19, 2005
  The latest FDIC Consumer News (Spring 2005) is a special issue devoted to helping young adults,
  
  
• Legal Document Preparation Franchisors Settle FTC Charges and Company Agrees to Pay Civil Penalties and Enroll in Training Program
  FTC gov, Apr 25, 2005
  Legal Document Preparation Franchisors Settle FTC Charges and Company Agrees to Pay Civil Penalties and Enroll in Training Program
  
  
• Terri Schiavo Dies, But Battle Continues
  news.google, Mar 31, 2005
  Terri Schiavo, the woman at the center of a family feud that became the focus of a national right-to-die debate, died Thursday,
  
  
• Make Sure Living Trust Offers Are Trust-Worthy By U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  communitydispatch, Mar 29, 2005
  You've worked hard for your money, so it's no wonder that you'll want some control over what happens to your assets in the event of your death.
  
  
• Alliance Partnerships, Advanced Data Sharing And Additional Estate Planning Techniques
  businesswire, Mar 14, 2005
  In 2004, Including Goal Planning, Role Based Permission, Alliance Partnerships, Advanced Data Sharing And Additional Estate Planning Techniques
  
  
• Record-High $55.9 Million In Deferred Gift Commitments Made Through Wills And Trusts To Be Received
  press citizen, Mar 07, 2005
  Outright gifts received by the UI Foundation reached $77.3 million -- 24 percent above 2003 figures and the highest outright gift total in the Foundation's 49-year histor
  
  
• One Of The Pre-Eminent Firms The Setting Up And Managing Of Trusts, Tax Planning
  press release, Mar 04, 2005
  One Of The Pre-Eminent Firms The Setting Up And Managing Of Trusts, Tax Planningin advising private clients on a broad range of issues
  
  
• The Thought Was So Horrifying We Scrambled To Sign Living Wills
  newsday news, Feb 28, 2005
  You are lying in a bed, with your brain reduced to performing the most rudimentary functions. You wake up. You sleep. Sometimes you respond to basic stimuli. You make noi
  
  
• Shareholders Should Consult Their Tax Advisors To Determine Their Tax Liability With Respect To Dividends Paid On Hanover Common Stock
  yahoo prnews, Feb 25, 2005
  The other three common stock dividends and the special common stock dividend paid in 2004 are reportable on shareholders' 2004 tax returns
  
  
• Granite Broadcasting to Achieve High End of Fourth Quarter 2004 Guidance
  yahoo prnews, Feb 24, 2005
  Granite Broadcasting Corporation announced today that it will achieve the high end of its net revenue and broadcast cash flow guidance for the fourth quarter 2004.
  
  
• The Company Uses The National Association Of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") Definition Of Funds From Operations
  biz yahoo, Feb 23, 2005
  For the year ended December 31, 2004, net income available to common shareholders was $76.4 million, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003
  
  
• Living Trusts And Wills Allow You To Choose How Your Property Will Be Distributed
  consumerlaw.org, Feb 17, 2005
  Living trusts and wills allow you to choose how your property will be distributed
  
  
• Living Will Document Is Not A Part Of Your Will
  pueblo.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  It is a separate document that lets your family members know what type of care you do or don't want
  
  
• The Living Testament Will Are Called Advance Directives
  michigan.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  The Health Care Power of Attorney and the Living Will are called advance directives
  
  
• Estate Planning Protection, Trust And Probate Law
  calbar.ca.gov/state, Feb 17, 2005
  The Standards must be read in conjunction with the Rules Governing the State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists which govern the Program requireme
  
  
• Estate Planning Protection Transfers Your Assets To Your Beneficiaries
  .pueblo.gsa.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  The process of estate planning includes inventorying your assets and making a will and/or establishing a trust, often with an emphasis on minimizing taxes.
  
  
• Wills Trust Probate Law Is The Practice Of Law Dealing With The Creation Protection And Disposition
  calbar.ca.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  The administration of estates and trusts (such as necessary court or non-court procedures; tax reporting, payment of tax and tax audits; and management and transfer of as
  
  
• Misunderstanding About Estate Taxes And The Length Or Complexity Of Probate Sales
  ftc.gov/bcp, Feb 17, 2005
  You've worked hard for your money, and made every attempt to be a conscientious saver. So it's only natural that you want some control over what happens to your assets in
  
  
• How To Avoid Probate Once A Trustor Creates A Trust, To Effectively Avoid Probate
  bernco.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  Only assets that have been transferred into the trust will pass automatically to the trust's beneficiaries when the trustor dies
  
  
• Probate Investing To Provide For Minor Children Or Family Members Who Lack Financial Experience
  .pueblo.gsa.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  Whether it makes sense to establish a trust depends on your individual circumstances. Some common reasons for setting up a trust include
  
  
• It Is Possible To Trace The Deeds To The Probate Properties
  .gov.im/registries, Feb 17, 2005
  All deeds are accepted for registration when they are presented with the appropriate fee payable . A member of staff then proceeds to give the deed a registration number
  
  
• Asset Protection Attorney Are Equally Committed To Protecting Other Fundamental Values
  usdoj.gov, Feb 17, 2005
  A new statement of Administration policy on the Freedom of Information Act has been issued by Attorney General John Ashcroft
  
  
• Asset Protection Lawyer Can Help With Asset Protection
  dhs.vic.gov.au, Feb 17, 2005
  If taking action puts your safety or the safety of others at risk you may need to take precautions and get help
  
  
• Asset Best Protection Market Integrity Goals The Protection Of Limit Orders And Of Best Execution
  sec.gov/news/press, Feb 17, 2005
  In addition, Regulation NMS would update the existing Exchange Act rules governing the national market system, and consolidate them into a single regulation
  
  
• Working Asset Can Be Used By Project Teams Across Different Locations And Time Zones
  asset.gov.com, Feb 17, 2005
  Asset.gov contains a suite of services to facilitate project management, collaboration and community consultation. It enhances decision-making through streamlining the co
  
  
• Finding The Right Asset Allocation Is The Cornerstone Of Good Investment
  us gov, Feb 17, 2005
  Invest adequately and regularly, diversify your portfolio, and keep tabs on your investments. According to the New York State Society of CPAs, these time-tested principle
  
  
• How To Write A Living Will Start By Organizing What You Need Outline Your Objectives, Inventory Your Assets
  .gov/cic_text/money, Feb 14, 2005
  Use this information to carefully consider how you want to distribute your assets. Ask yourself lots of questions
  
  
• How To Make A Living Will Documents Concerning Treatment
  bioethics lwill, Feb 14, 2005
  Through advances in medical technology, some patients who formerly would have died
  
  
• Estate Planning Doesn’t Have To Be A Total Bummer
  CASEMATE press release, Feb 08, 2005
  Can your spouse or surviving children handle the estate during their time of grief, or do you need a separate executor
  
  
• Legal Definitions For The Elderly and Their Families
  opm.gov, Nov 18, 2004
  Older persons and their families should become familiar with the following legal terms.
  
  
• Family Business Estate Planning One-Third Of The Fortune 500 Are Either Family-Owned Or Family-Controlled
  Enter Source, Jan 01, 1900
  Like a well-run relay race, the handing over of a company should be graceful, carefully strategized and well executed if it is to be successful
  
  

For local, regional wills and trusts-related news, please visit our state resources.

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