You’re a responsible parent. You’ve looked out for your children in the event of the unthinkable. You and your spouse may have wills, estate plans, powers of attorney and other asset-protecting documents in place and have left instructions on where to find them. But what about your college-age children? The single-most common misconception that people […]

The IRS has announced that the basic estate tax exclusion amount for the estates of decedents dying during calendar year 2017 will be $5.49 million, up from $5.45 million for calendar year 2016. The increase in the estate tax exclusion means that the lifetime tax exclusion for gifts will also rise to $5.49 million, as

Do you have an estate plan in place, or is it one of those things that you know you need to do but simply haven’t made it a top priority? If you’re in the latter camp, then National Estate Planning Awareness Week is all about you. It’s an event that was created by the NAEPC – the

It’s August … do you have a will? August is traditionally when we go on vacation, start buying back-to-school supplies, and generally try to avoid the heat, so writing a will and putting your financial affairs in order may be the last thing on your mind. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of sitting down and

If you’re one of those who is spending the summer gathering up supplies for your college-bound child – or even the concerned parent of any over-18-year-old — then there’s a little know but necessary step you need to take. In order to ensure yourself peace of mind and the ability to act in their best

Over the past few years there have been many changes with regard to income taxes, capital gains taxes, surtaxes, estate taxes, and fiduciary responsibilities. Transfer tax exemptions and portability are now “permanent” for the first time since 2000. The definition of marriage has been expanded to include more couples than ever before. Clients are living

If you’ve been putting off estate and disability planning, you’re not alone. Sitting down and formalizing directions for what to do if you’re disabled and unable to speak for yourself can generate real discomfort and unease in even the most pragmatic person — but it’s a vitally important thing to do. By identifying who you want

The National Association of Social Workers celebrates each year the nation’s unsung heroes: social workers who work hard daily to make an important difference in the lives of millions of people throughout the United States. At Bratton Law Group, we honor and sincerely thank the scores of social workers who tirelessly work to support and empower families

Blended families are becoming more and more the norm these days. Whether an original marriage ends in divorce or as a result of the death of a spouse, when people who have children from a previous marriage marry, there are many steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that everybody is comfortable and