There is no denying that choosing a fiduciary—the individual or entity responsible for another’s financial affairs—is a difficult decision.  Who is the best choice for Executor of your will, or Trustee of your trust?  These fiduciaries are entrusted with your estate and expected to fulfill your wishes about the  management and distribution...

An Enhanced Life Estate Deed (ELED), sometimes referred to as a “Life Estate Deed with Reserved Powers,” “Lady Bird Deed,” “Medicaid Deed,” or “Italian Deed,” graduated from Vermont’s common law into Title 27 of the Vermont Statutes when Governor Phil Scott signed the Vermont Enhanced Life Estate Deed Act into law...

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE TEMPORARILY CLOSED OUR PHYSICAL OFFICE.   WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR EMAILS, ANSWER THE MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE, AND RETRIEVE TELEPHONE MESSAGES AS WE STRIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS FROM OUR REMOTE OFFICES.  OUR ATTORNEYS ALSO HAVE THE CAPABILITIES TO MEET WITH EXISTING AND...

Many individuals have questions and concerns about the SECURE Act that was signed into law at the close of 2019.  One section significantly changes the rules regarding required distributions from retirement plans (IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and the like) – not for the plan participant or owner, but for the beneficiary. 

Whereas the party of the first part shall prescribe, provide, formulate, and otherwise execute the means, method, and product for the tertiary daily repast for the mutual benefit of the parties; whereas the party of the second part shall evaluate, conduct, and otherwise execute in a timely manner the subsequent restoration of...

Imagine you are playing the popular “Would You Rather” game on a family road trip this summer.  Would you rather embark on an unmarked treasure hunt or navigate that route to the treasure using a clearly marked map?  While some adventurers may prefer to search without clues, others will certainly accept...

Estate/transfer tax

Vermont estate tax exclusion:

$2,750,000

Federal estate tax threshold:

$11,400,000

Federal gift tax exclusion (annual):

$15,000

Vermont Medicaid

Community Spouse Resource Allowance: $126,420

Minimum Maintenance Needs Allowance (spousal allocation): $2,114

Home Equity Limit (singles): $585,000

Games are usually a lot of fun, but you don’t really want to play hide and seek with your estate planning documents.  After you have signed and implemented your plan, you may want privacy, but you should not hide your documents from everyone.  If you excel at concealing, it may not...

Life insurance plays a vital role in many estate plans.  Proceeds can provide essential funds to replace lost earnings, pay debts, finance college tuition expenses, or even cover estate tax liabilities.  However, there is confusion about the taxation of these life insurance proceeds.  Contrary to common belief, insurance benefits are taxable...