There is a new paradigm in estate planning.

Three major changes have profoundly affected the estate planning world.

1. The 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) with its increase in the estate tax exemption to over $5,000,000 as the lead game changer. Estate Taxes have been eliminated for most Americans.
2. Wisconsin last December passed the new Uniform Trust Code which took effect on July 1, 2014.
3. The US Supreme Court Decision in Clark v. Rameker that inherited IRA’s are not creditor protected.

I will give each of these items further discussion in upcoming articles.

My Recommendation: All trusts and estate plans prepared prior to 2012 should be reviewed.