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Investment Services

Estate Planning

For an individual whose estate has grown to exceed certain limits, several planning techniques may be employed to help reduce the amount of tax payable upon death or at the alternative valuation date. 

The federal estate tax is an excise tax on the right to transfer property at date of death.  The gross estate includes the fair market value of all assets owned by the decedent as of the date of death, including life insurance policies.  The tax itself applies only to estates in excess of the unified credit equivalent, and transfers between spouses generally qualify for the unlimited marital deduction and are free of current tax. 

Once the individual and their attorney have researched their estate, our office can help create a plan to help dramatically reduce the amount of tax liability.