Posted on Thu Feb 26, 2015, on Estate Planning
Some people believe they can disinherit their spouse simply by cutting them out of their Will. Those people should think again. In Pennsylvania, as in many states including New Jersey and Florida, a widowed spouse has the right to take under the deceased’s Will, or if they deem that as insufficient, an elective spousal share estate determined by law.
Klenk Law
Posted on Wed Sep 19, 2012, on QDOT Trust
Any transfer of assets at death involves a variety of tax consequences, but estate planning for a married couple where one spouse is not a United States citizen involves unique taxation issues and planning. Couples who find themselves in this unique circumstance should consider the benefits of an estate plan that includes a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT).
In 2012, the federal estate tax provides a credit of $5,120,000, meaning that the first $5,120,000 of any estate not diminished by taxable lifetime gifts will pass free of the federal estate tax.¹ This exemption is scheduled to fall to $1,00,000.00 in 2013². Further, Section 2056 of the Internal Revenue Code contains the “marital deduction,” which provides that any property left to a surviving spouse following a decedent’s death is not taxed until the surviving spouse’s death. These provisions give married couples options for deferring estate tax payments until after the surviving spouse’s death.
Klenk Law
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Peter Klenk is the founding member of Klenk Law, a seven attorney boutique estate planning law firm. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and Florida. Peter Klenk received his Masters in Taxation LL.M. from NYU Law School and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He served his country in the Navy JAGC during Desert Storm. Easy to talk to, feel free to call Peter for an appointment. We will make the process as easy as possible!
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"I worked for Peter Klenk for 4 wonderful years. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone at the firm. Everyone truly cares about their clients and has a strong sense of responsibility to get things done right. I would highly recommend Klenk Law!"
Flora Novick
Recently hired this firm to help me write a will (something I had been procrastinating on doing for too long). The process was quick, easy, painless and I'm glad that thanks to the great team at this firm I was able to cross this off my "to do" list!!
I highly recommend this firm. Jackie was a pleasure to work with. I left there’s well educated and had all my questions answered.
Klenk was efficient and professional in designing and executing the necessary documents for my trust, will and associated paperwork after my moving to pa from out of state. This allowed an inherently unpleasant responsibility to be completed with minimal agony and diligence. His web site further enables executed document update and distribution with minimal fuss.
We came to this firm based because of the online reviews we read and were not disappointed. Peter and the staff were a pleasure to work with - Peter was friendly, knowledgeable and patient with all our questions and the office staff were extremely responsive and efficient with all the scheduling and follow up needed to get us ready for the signing. We also like that all documents are housed in a portal that is easily accessible. Thank you to Peter and the team for helping us cross 'update estate planning documents' off our list.
very happy to deal with Peter Klenk law firm over many decades
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