Brian M Balduzzi

October 28, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

With the potential Jan. 1, 2026, sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and the reduction of the federal estate and gift tax exemption to $5 million, indexed for inflation (estimated to be approximately $7.2 million), advisers should consider whether grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), charitable lead trusts (CLTs), intra-family loans, and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) should be re-evaluated and re-considered for high net-worth families.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

9 minute read

July 29, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

With a majority of states allowing a TOD deed, the Pennsylvania and New Jersey legislatures should consider passing a similar type of statute to benefit those owning real estate in their states.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

10 minute read

January 22, 2024 | New Jersey Law Journal

With many couples choosing to wed for the first time later in life, and other couples choosing to re-marry in their golden years, changes in marital status can impact a family's estate planning in important ways. Both family law and estate planning attorneys should be aware of the substantive nuances each brings to the client relationship as well as ethical issues in this type of engagement.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

9 minute read

January 08, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

This new act simplifies the rules for irrevocable trusts to mirror those in other jurisdictions, and it provides an opportunity for grantors to plan for new irrevocable trusts, and for grantors, trustees, and beneficiaries to review certain existing irrevocable trusts.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

6 minute read

July 03, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer

With the $12.92 million lifetime estate and gift tax exemption and the $17,000 annual gift tax exclusion being at all-time highs and indexed for inflation, many advisers are recommending families review their willingness and ability to develop an annual gifting plan and implement more substantial gifting strategies.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

9 minute read

March 20, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

This article explains how the Respect for Marriage Act impacts married same-sex couples in their estate planning, while identifying opportunities for families and advisors to better plan, prepare, and protect for probate, incapacity, and taxes.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

9 minute read

February 04, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer

This review may lead some to question how "irrevocable" is an irrevocable trust, as well as when or how these trusts may be modified or terminated. This article describes how to modify or terminate these trusts, analyzes some key issues and potential pitfalls, and highlights some best practices.

By Lisa S. Presser and Brian M. Balduzzi

10 minute read

March 16, 2022 | New Jersey Law Journal

The Civil Practice Committee should amend the rules to clarify that a trustee nominated under a procedure within the governing trust instrument should qualify, not as a substituted trustee, but as a successor trustee.

By Brian M. Balduzzi and Lisa S. Presser

11 minute read