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Maximizing Annual Gifts
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Individuals with estates that are valued over the Federal estate tax exemption ($5,250,000 in 2013) should consider making annual gifts to their family now so
How Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Estate Planning?
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 The United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, declaring the definition of marriage as
Wacky Employee Claims: Reasonable Accommodations for Unreasonable Requests?
As an employment defense attorney, I often think I’ve heard it all: every conceivable employee complaint, late-to-work excuse, and “reasonable” accommodation request. Still, from time to time, I come across an employee claim that surprises
Tony Soprano’s Run In With the Tax Man
Many of us who were fans of the HBO show about a fictional New Jersey mafia family, The Sopranos, and actor James Gandolfini in particular (who played mob boss Tony Soprano), were shocked and
Post-DOMA for Employers
With the dust just settling on Wednesday’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, and Proposition 8 federal court opinions, now is the time for employers to consider the potential impact on their
Designated Beneficiary Assets: Consider Your Income, Capital Gains & Estate Taxes
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 In the third segment of our series regarding Gift Tax & Estate Planning, we’ll examine assets that require designated beneficiaries, specifically: IRA accounts, retirement accounts, life
Using Life Insurance and Irrevocable Trusts in Estate Planning
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Continuing with Part 2 of our Gift Tax and Estate Planning blog series (we discussed Living Trusts in Part 1 of the series), we now
Oprah Winfrey’s Fair Use Defense Rejected
IP Litigation Attorney by Nicholas Kanter 818-907-3289 On Friday, the Second Circuit ruled that the owner of a motivation services business (Simone Kelly-Brown) can continue with her trademark infringement lawsuit against media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Kelly-Brown
A Living Trust – One of Many Tools for Protecting Your Estate
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 A living trust is not the only vehicle that individuals need to consider when completing an estate plan. There are several other types of trusts
A Comment on Trademarking Celebratory Gestures
San Fernando Valley Business Litigation Lawyer by Nicholas Kanter 818.907.3289 On America’s Got Talent, Sharon Osbourne’s signature gesture to the audience was a heart symbol shaped by her hands. Now, a counterpart from the UK is