Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comThe Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comWhen a person passes away, the assets left for his or her family is generally subject to the estate tax. However, there are certain breaks that can help these people reduce this tax bill.
According to Forbes, the Internal Revenue Service recently announced it is extending the time to take advantage of a key estate tax break made available for married couples. The extensions give widows and widowers more time to carry over the estate tax exemption of their spouse who died and add it to their own. Married couples are able to transfer $5.34 million each without taxes.
In order for this break to be taken advantage of, tax law outlines that the executor of the estate needs to file a tax return within nine months of the death, even if there is no tax due on the estate.
Estate taxes have been making waves recently, as a few states are looking to provide some sort of relief. According to The Washington Post, leaders of the Maryland General Assembly recently outlined plans to reduce the estate tax, as well as offer tax credits to help benefit businesses around colleges and universities.
One of the biggest motivators for states to provide relief is to keep retirees from moving somewhere that has less harsh tax laws. This is especially important with many state economies still struggling to fully recover from the recession.
“As we come out of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, we need to rebuild our private sector confidence to invest and expand in Maryland’s economy,” House Speaker Michael Busch said at a news conference.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Author: Marc J. Comer

For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
Author: Marc J. Comer

For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
Author: George McGowan

In today’s digital economy, New Jersey businesses of all sizes rely heavily on technology vendors, software providers, cloud platforms, and managed IT services. Whether your company is purchasing software, migrating data to the cloud, engaging a cybersecurity consultant, or entering into a long-term managed services agreement, a careful IT contract review can have significant operational, […]
Author: George McGowan

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) remain a critical tool for protecting sensitive business information. However, New York NDA requirements have evolved, and businesses must ensure these agreements are carefully drafted to remain enforceable. In a competitive market like New York City, NDAs are commonly used to protect proprietary information, client relationships, and strategic plans. At the same […]
Author: Dan Brecher

How Courts Evaluate Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence Will contests in New Jersey are difficult to win, given the strong presumption that a properly executed will reflects the testator’s intent. However, challenges based on lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence remain common, particularly where there are concerns about mental capacity or the involvement of […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!