Amy Neifeld Shkedy

March 04, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

A "bypass trust" is a common estate planning tool that has traditionally been used as a way to shelter assets from the federal estate tax for the benefit of a married couple's heirs.

By Amy Neifeld Shkedy 
and Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen

10 minute read

November 06, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

November is a great time to start thinking about year-end tax planning. Although we still have two months to go until the end of the year, getting a head start on planning can improve your chances of concluding matters by Dec. 31.

By Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

5 minute read

November 05, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

November is a great time to start thinking about year-end tax planning. Although we still have two months to go until the end of the year, getting a head start on planning can improve your chances of concluding matters by Dec. 31.

By Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

5 minute read

September 04, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

The third week of October was designated as National Estate Planning Awareness Week by HR 1499 (on Sept. 27, 2008) as a result of lobbying by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC). The Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (PEPC), which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, has been the largest member of NAEPC for over a decade now.

By Amy Neifeld Shkedy and Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen

6 minute read

September 03, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

The third week of October was designated as National Estate Planning Awareness Week by HR 1499 (on Sept. 27, 2008) as a result of lobbying by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC). The Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (PEPC), which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, has been the largest member of NAEPC for over a decade now.

By Amy Neifeld Shkedy and Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen

6 minute read

July 09, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

Owners of closely held businesses and their families can benefit in many ways from a well thought out and implemented estate plan that appropriately addresses the business interests, which often comprise a significant part of a family's net worth.

By Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

6 minute read

July 09, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

Owners of closely held businesses and their families can benefit in many ways from a well thought out and implemented estate plan that appropriately addresses the business interests, which often comprise a significant part of a family's net worth.

By Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

6 minute read

May 01, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

As estate planners, we carefully listen to our client's concerns and goals and prepare estate plans intended to fulfill the client's wishes regarding the disposition of his or her assets. However, sometimes even the best-laid plans are thwarted by unforeseen circumstances. To a certain extent, there are steps that can be taken during the planning process to help facilitate a smooth estate and trust administration.

By Marianna F. Schenk and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

9 minute read

April 30, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

As estate planners, we carefully listen to our client's concerns and goals and prepare estate plans intended to fulfill the client's wishes regarding the disposition of his or her assets. However, sometimes even the best-laid plans are thwarted by unforeseen circumstances. To a certain extent, there are steps that can be taken during the planning process to help facilitate a smooth estate and trust administration.

By Marianna F. Schenk and Amy Neifeld Shkedy

9 minute read

March 06, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

The statutory provisions governing powers of attorney in Pennsylvania, which can be found under Chapter 56 of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code (20 Pa. C.S. Sections 5601-5612), have recently changed. This came about by the passage of HB 1429, which was signed by then-Gov. Tom Corbett on July 2, 2014, as Act 95 of 2014. While some of the provisions became effective immediately upon the passage of Act 95, many of the changes did not take effect until Jan. 1. Now that all of the changes implemented by Act 95 have taken effect, we thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the key provisions:

By Amy Neifeld Shkedy and Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen

9 minute read