The Estate Settlement Team
The legal aspects of estate settlement - the probate court forms - are simply one facet of what happens throughout the settlement process. For estates with income in excess of $600, fiduciary income tax returns must be filed, in addition to the decedent's final income tax return. Any trusts which are to be established under the Will must also be established as separate taxable entities, with their own tax returns. Information must be gathered concerning all items of income, any sales of securities or real estate, all information reporting returns issued in the decedent's name, and a host of other accounting issues. Assets must be valued and appraised. Sometimes decisions must be made concerning insurance policies on the life of the decedent, and also insurance owned by the decedent on the lives of others. Survivors find they have new planning issues of their own.
Laura works closely with CPAs, insurance advisors, appraisers and real estate professionals, and is well known in the local banking community. She believes that communication is the key to a smooth settlement, to ensure that nothing is overlooked. This translates into identifying each action that must be taken, and ensuring the proper party is on task. The goal is always to keep overall expenses to the client as low as possible, while preventing an omission or oversight that could cause further expense or headaches down the road.
Laura works closely with CPAs, insurance advisors, appraisers and real estate professionals, and is well known in the local banking community. She believes that communication is the key to a smooth settlement, to ensure that nothing is overlooked. This translates into identifying each action that must be taken, and ensuring the proper party is on task. The goal is always to keep overall expenses to the client as low as possible, while preventing an omission or oversight that could cause further expense or headaches down the road.