All posts by Jim

Repeal of estate tax proposal pending

H.R.1259 –  This bipartisan House bill would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, repeal the federal generation-skipping transfer tax, and extend the $5.12 million lifetime gift tax exemption and 35% gift tax rate. Currently the bill has approximately 194 co-sponsors. Of course, only time will tell what will happen in this election year.

California Probate Limit Changes for Avoiding Probate

California Probate Code 13100 was recently revised to increase from $100,000 to $150,000 the size of a California estate (excluding real property) that can be collected without probate court administration. The size of  a decedent’s California real property that can be transferred without probate has been increased to $50,000. (Probate Code section 13200). If you are … Continue reading California Probate Limit Changes for Avoiding Probate