FLORIDA ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE LAW BLOG

The Florida Estate Planning and Probate Law Blog is focused on recent federal and state case law and planning ideas.

SAME -SEX COUPLES CONTEMPLATING MARRIAGE SHOULD NOT PUT IT OFF

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,


A recent New Jersey Tax Court ruling, unpublished opinion, emphasizes the importance for same-sex couples to not put-off marriage for estate planning purposes. New Jersey has both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, and taxpayers must pay the higher of the two taxes. The estate tax impacts estates of more than $675,000. Notwithstanding a 31-year relationship, registration as a same-sex domestic partner under New Jersey's Domestic Partnership Act (DPA), and a marriage scheduled to take place with 6 days of his death, the New Jersey Tax Court Judge ruled that the survivor did not qualify as a surviving partner for estate tax purposes under New Jersey law.  As a result of his failure to qualify as a surviving spouse he was not entitled to a $101,041 estate tax deduction under New Jersey tax law.



The Judge, in applying a “very strict reading of the statute,” reached this conclusion based upon the fact that the couple were eligible to enter into either a civil union or a marriage as of the date of the decedent's death and did neither. In 2007, New Jersey had enacted the Civil Union Act which allowed same-sex partners, who entered into a civil union, to be treated the same as opposite-sex spouses for purposes of calculating the New Jersey estate tax. Subsequently, in October 2013, the New Jersey Supreme Court, in Garden State Equality v. Dow, permitted same-sex couples to marry. The New Jersey's statute on domestic partnership is “unequivocal” in providing exemptions only for personal income and inheritance taxes and not the estate tax.  
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THE IMPORTANCE OF A LAST WILL & TESTAMENT

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,,,


SARASOTA, Fla. -- It's something that experts say you don't want to have running away from you. If you pass away without a will in the state of Florida, the state statutes would decide where your assets go. "Everyone should have a will, because what it does, it shows the court and all the beneficiaries how you want your assets to pass," said Marc Soss, a Sarasota attorney. According to estate planning attorneys, around two-thirds of people don't have a living will. Many folks we talked with at Bayfront Park on Thursday are in the same boat. "At this point we do not have a will and it's something we do need to take care of," said Shannon Ashburn. "We just haven't gotten around to it yet." "I have had a will and it was up to date," said Donna Wilson, "but I divorced and that's null and void now, so I need a new one but you know you put that kind of thing off." It's a little bit of smoother ride for Joe Giannetti. Several years ago he had an attorney put together his will. "We have two children, they're both married and we have grandchildren," said Giannetti. "I feel we're in great shape if something should happen." Attorneys say the will process is typically quick and easy with costs running as low as $100 for an attorney to do it. "Creating a will is actually a very simple process," said Soss. "In most cases, a simple will can take less than 15 minutes." Following the death of Prince, because it's reported he had no will, a bank has officially been appointed to handle his assets said to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Marc Soss says this a lesson everyone can learn from. "Whether you have minimal assets or multi-millions of dollars people fail to plan for the important things in life," said Soss.


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FIDUCIARY ACCESS LAW IN FLORIDA

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,


On March 10, 2016, Governor Scott signed in law the “Fiduciary Access Law.”  Effective July 1, 2016, the law allows custodians to turn over "data, text, images, videos, sounds, codes, computer programs, software, databases" and other files. Under the law, Internet service providers and other custodians can grant access to fiduciaries who submit written requests with certified death certificates, letters of administration and other documents that show proof of power of attorney. They can request usernames, addresses and other unique subscriber information to identify accounts or ask for a court order to show the fiduciary requires disclosure to administer the estate.

The new law allows account holders to designate authorized users and specify what content they can access. It also permits custodians, like telecom companies that store files, to share that content with fiduciaries or guardians. Many internet companies already have these policies in place. 
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CHANGES TO THE PARTNERSHIP RULES COMING IN 2017

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,,


The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 has strengthened the IRS’s ability to audit partnerships (including multi-member LLCs). The new rules apply to tax years beginning after 2017, and will apply to partnerships of 100 or more partners. To prepare for these changes, Partnerships should amend their Partnership Agreements and select a “Partnership Representative” (sole contact individual with the IRS auditor and someone authorized to make all decisions regarding how to handle the audit).

The new rules require the IRS to assess the partnership if filing errors are detected during an audit. The Partnership Representative will then be responsible to determine whether the partnership itself (the current partners, indirectly), or those who were partners during the audit period, should pay the assessment. The Partnership Representative will also be able to determine whether the entity could opt-out of the new rules (if it has 100 or fewer partners, individuals, S corporations, C corporations, or estates of deceased partners). If you have an S corporation partner, then you must count each of its shareholders for this purpose. If a Partnership Representative is not designated by the entity, the IRS reserves the right to appoint one for the entity.

Partnerships should begin planning for 2017 today by determining: (i) who will serve as the Partnership Representative; (ii) the level of indemnification they will receive against any costs or liabilities that may be incurred in that role, and (3) the level of accountability they will have to the company and its partners. It is important to note that Partnership Representative does not need to be a partner of the entity.
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ONLY ONE RESIDENCY TAX EXEMPTION AT A TIME: DON'T BE GREEDY

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,
FloridaHomestead law provides two major benefits: (i) creditor protection; and (ii) partial exemption from ad valorem tax. However, each of these benefits can be lost if you claim a residency based tax exemption in another state (you can’t be a resident of two states at the same time). The recent Fourth District Court of Appeals ruling in Venice L. Endsley, Appellant, v. Broward County, Finance and Administrative Services Department, Revenue Collections Division, Appellees. 4th District. Case No. 4D14-3997. March 23, 2016, makes that fact abundantly clear.

In Endsley, a husband, with a residence in Indiana, and a wife, with a residence in Florida, simultaneously received residency based property tax exemptions. In August 2006, the Broward County Property Appraiser, in reliance on Article VII, Section 6(b) of the Florida Constitution ("[n]ot more than one exemption shall be allowed any individual or family unit or with respect to any residential unit") challenged the wife’s eligibility for the Florida Homestead exemption. The challenge dated back to 1996, the first year the couple had simultaneously claimed a residency based property tax exemption in Indiana and Florida, and removal of the Save our Homes protection. Both the trial court and 4th DCA found that the plain language of the Florida Constitution meant that only one homestead exemption was allowed, regardless of location.
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DO NOT FORGET TO COLLECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVOR BENEFITS

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,,,,

There are few upsides (maybe relief from pain and suffering) to the death of a spouse. In order to ease the burden, the U.S. government offers a few Social Security survivor benefits.



Survivor Benefits: The main benefit for a surviving spouse is that they may be able to receive Social Security payments if their deceased spouse met the requirements to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. If both spouses are collecting Social Security benefits, the surviving spouse will only receive the larger benefit. 



Others eligible for benefits include: spouse of the deceased, aged 60 or older; spouse of the deceased, aged 50 or older, if disabled; spouse of the deceased at any age, if he or she is caring for the deceased's child who is younger than 16 or disabled; an unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than 18, or younger than 20 if still a full-time student in elementary or secondary school or 18 or older and with a disability that began before age 22; a stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child under certain circumstances; parents aged 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and a surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.





Death Benefit:  In addition to the benefits described above, a surviving spouse may be eligible for a one-time payment of $255.  Eligibility for the benefit requires the surviving spouse to have been living with the deceased spouse, at their date of death, or, if living apart, to have been receiving benefits based on the deceased spouse's Social Security record.







How to Claim Social Security Survivor Benefits: In order to claim Social Security survivor benefits you must inform the agency of the death of your spouse. Typically, the funeral home will notify the Social Security Administration with regard to the deceased.  In order to contact the Social Security Administration you must either visit your local Social Security office or speak with the agency on the phone (at 800-772-1213). hen speaking with them it is important to also inquire about: (i) survivor benefits; (ii) retirement benefits; and (iii) eligibility for the one-time $255 lump-sum benefit.
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CHARITABLE PLANNING WITH YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,,


 
 
For the past several years, Congress has employed a last minute temporary rule that allowed IRA owners to exclude their required minimum distributions (RMDs), from their adjusted gross income, by making a direct contribution of the funds to a qualified charitable organization. However, this last minute action made planning difficult for taxpayers. Finally, in December 2015, the Qualified Charitable Deduction (“QCD”) provision became a permanent part of the U.S. Tax Code.  This allows taxpayers to comfortably utilize the provision and establish long-term planning strategies around it moving forward.
 

Eligibility and Advantages:

Any IRA owner or beneficiary who is at least 70.5 years old, no exceptions, can use the QCD rule to donate their required minimum distribution or up to $100,000 per year to charity and exempt the funds from taxation. All contributions and earnings inside the IRA are QCD eligible but are classified as a nondeductible contribution. Taxpayers may not utilize a joint gifting strategy for the purpose of QCDs. 

The biggest benefit of utilizing the QCD provision is the ability for a taxpayer to lower their adjusted gross income, since the gifted funds do not count as taxable income to them. This can allow a taxpayer to stay in a lower income tax bracket, reduce or eliminate the taxation of Social Security or other income and remain eligible for deductions and credits that might be lost if the taxpayer had to declare the RMD amount as income. Another advantage is the taxpayer will not have to itemize deductions in order to qualify for this deduction (since the exclusion applies to adjusted gross income and not taxable income).

Rules

In order for the donation to qualify under the QCD rules it must be made directly to the charity. The IRA owner or beneficiary can personally receive the check and deliver it to the charity, but they cannot deposit the funds and then make out a check to the charity. The recipient charity must also be a qualified 501(c)3 organization and a charitable gift annuity will not qualify. The charitable donation amount must be substantiated by the charity with a written receipt.
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ROTH IRA ADDITIONAL PLANNING OPTIONS

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,

Most individuals view a Roth IRA as a great way to save more for the future using after tax dollars. While the funds deposited into a Roth IRA are subject to income tax, they grow tax-free and are not subject to tax, even the growth, when withdrawn (assuming certain requirements are met).  However, a Roth IRA has other advantages that most individuals do not know about or utilize:

Saving for College:

A Roth IRA can be utilized to pay college expenses without the contributed funds being subject to any income tax or early withdrawal penalty. Unfortunately, while account earnings on contributions can be withdrawn penalty free, they still may be subject income taxation. 

In contrast, a 529Saving Plan will allow you to save a larger amount for college expenses but are not as flexible when it comes to investing and utilizing the funds. While contributed funds will grow tax-free, the account earnings will be subject to income tax upon withdrawal and subject to a 10% penalty if not utilized for college expenses.

Saving for a Home

A Roth IRA can be utilized to save for a down payment on the purchase of a home. To qualify, the purchasers must be first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned an interest in a home within the past two years) and had their Roth IRA set up for five years. Subject to those restrictions, they can withdraw up to $10,000 to buy, build, or rebuild a home without paying the 10% early withdrawal penalty or worrying whether your withdrawing contributions or earnings. The exemption may also be utilized to assist children or grandchildren purchase their first home.

Savings Option:

While the opportunity to contribute to a traditional IRA stops the year you turn 70.5 years old, contributions can be made to a Roth IRA as long as you live. If you're over 50 years old, you can contribute up to $6,500 per year as long as your income is below annual limits.

 Sarasota and Manatee County residents can contact me directly to learn more.
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2016 CHANGES TO AID AND ATTENDANCE BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,

Unknown to many veterans, the Veteran's Administration (VA) offers a pension benefit, known as “Aid and Attendance,” to low-income veterans (or their spouses) who are in nursing homes or who need help at home with everyday tasks (dressing, bathing, etc.).  In 2015, it could provide a wartime veteran with up to $21,466 a year ($1,788 per month) to cover care at home or in assisted living. A veterans surviving spouse was also eligible for Aid & Attendance benefits up to $14,353 per year ($1,196 per month). While the benefit is currently underused, new regulations have made it available to even fewer veterans. The new regulations specify asset limits for qualification and impose a look-back period and transfer penalties similar to Medicaid’s.

The regulations set an asset limit of $119,220 in 2016 (the same amount that a Medicaid applicant’s spouse may retain) for eligibility. This number will include both the applicant's assets and income and will be indexed to inflation in the same way that Social Security increases. The VA will not reduce the applicant’s assets by the amount of any mortgages or encumbrances on their primary residence or provide a hardship exception. Fortunately, an applicant's home (subject to a two acre lot size limit) will not count as an asset. The home exception will apply regardless of whether the applicant is residing in a nursing home, medical foster home, or an assisted living or similar residential facility that provides custodial care, or resides with a family member for custodial care. However, if the home is sold the sale proceeds will count as assets.


The regulations also establish a three-year look-back provision. This will adversely impact an applicant who has transferred assets within three (3) years of applying for benefits.  Those who violate the regulation can be subject to a ten (10) year penalty period (the penalty period will in months by dividing the amount transferred by the applicable maximum annual pension rate). An applicant can avoid the penalty if they can “present clear and convincing evidence that the transfer was not made in order to qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits.” Under the prior regulations, there was no penalty if an applicant divested themselves of assets before applying.
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POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF PAY-ON-DEATH ACCOUNTS

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in ,,,,,,

It is not uncommon to hear an individual refer to a “Pay-On-Death” (“POD”) account as a poor individual’s version of a Will. The reason being is that upon the death of the account owner the account assets pass directly to the payee without going through probate. However, a 401k, IRA's, annuities and life insurance policies also falls into this category. Upon your death, the beneficiary designation on these accounts will determine to whom the account assets pass.  

In a recent case, an attorney prepared a Last Will and Testament (“Will”) for a client who wanted their substantial assets to be equally divided between her two sons.  The bulk of her assets were held in two brokerage accounts.  She named her oldest son as both the Personal Representative of her estate and as the “pay-on-death” beneficiary of the brokerage accounts. Upon her death, the oldest son took the position that it was his mother’s intention that he receive one-hundred percent of the brokerage accounts and that he and his brother would only split the assets passing under the Will.  The other son threatened to file a lawsuit and ultimately settled for an amount substantially less than his intended one-half share. Even if the woman had specifically bequeathed her accounts under her Will, the beneficiary designation would override the bequest and the account assets would pass to the designated beneficiary.

When should you utilize a POD?

The best use of a POD account is only when an individual wants a certain account to go to only one certain individual.  For example, an individual wants to leave their entire account or estate to their only child. Naming them as the pay-on-death account beneficiary will pass the assets directly to them and avoid the probate process. This same logic applies to 401k, IRA's, annuities and life insurance policies as well.

Review Beneficiary Designations Often:


To avoid unintended results, it is important to review beneficiary designations as a part of the estate planning process. A well intentioned estate plan can be foiled by a forgotten beneficiary designation.
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