Future of Estate Taxes

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Legislative gurus, estate attorneys, and financial planners are bustling about the estate tax’s future.  A lot of people already know that under the 2001 EGTRRA (Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act), federal estate tax changed almost annually for the past few years.  In fact, it’s most likely to phase out entirely next year but will come back in 2011 if things don’t change in Washington. 

Currently, estate tax exclusion rests at $3.5 million (for married couples, $7 million) and top tax rate is at 45%.  When federal estate tax goes back in 2011, the exclusion would drop back - $1 million for individuals and $2 million for married couples, with top tax rate rising to 55%.

Today, most experts would agree that estate taxes are here to stay considering that budgetary challenges occupy congress and the current administration.  Also, economic crisis is still underway.  Legislation has been introduced to keep exclusion at current levels and marry this exclusion to lifetime gift tax exemption. 

At this point, it’s still too early to tell the ultimate fate of the current proposal and all others that are bound to be proposed during the coming months.  In the meantime, those in the know solidly believe that it’s important to revisit your current estate plan as well as undertake proactive tax planning.

Tags: attorneys, EGTRRA, estate attorneys, estate plan, estate tax, federal, financial planners, legislation, legislative gurus, proposal, tax planning, Washington
Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »

DUI Cases using International Drivers Licenses

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Out there, a misconception exists that if you lose your license due to a DUI charge, you can still drive using an “international driver’s license.”

Be very careful. If you see a website that sells an international license and says you could use the license to avoid suspension for United States DUI, don’t jump on it too quickly. It’s best to consult a DUI lawyer before you try it. Based on lawyers’ professional experience, these might be scams.

For example, if you get a DUI in Arizona, the state will suspend your driving privileges in Arizona only. Even if you came from Washington and you own a California drivers license, your driving privileges in Arizona can still be suspended.

This means that you can drive legally from California up to the Arizona border only. It will not matter if you get an Oregon driver’s license in exchange for your California license. The reality still remains that if you drive in Arizona, you’re breaking the law. You’ll only be allowed to do so once Arizona reinstated your driving privileges.

It’s important to note that a “driver’s license” is different from a “driver’s privilege.” A state has the ability to revoke your driving privileges in their state, but not the driver’s license (unless it’s also from the same state, although, motor vehicle compact may also revoke your license in your home state).

Therefore, even if an international driver’s license is valid in another country, it will not reinstate your driving privileges with the state where you got a DUI charge.

Tags: Arizona, California, driver's license, driver's privilege, dui, DUI lawyer, international driver's license, lawyer, Washington
Posted in dui, dui arizona, dui california, dui laws, dui washington | No Comments »

The Toughest DUI Laws in the Country

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Washington State carries the stiffest DUI penalties in the country. A single arrest will dramatically change your life. Therefore, it’s important to retain a Washington lawyer experienced in DUI cases. If your lawyer is familiar with prosecutors and local practices, you have a higher chance of meeting the special rules and demands of the court, and therefore enhancing your chance of winning.

Here are some key aspects of the tough DUI laws in Washington:

· Immediate appearance – most courts will take maybe a month or two before prosecutors file your DUI case. But not in Washington. If you are arrested for DUI in this state, a court appearance will be required from you within 48 hours starting from the next business day.

· Pre-trial release policies – the prosecutors of most courthouses will not seek to increase bail during the first court appearance. However, Washington prosecutors will usually request pre-trial release conditions and substantial bail on all DUI cases. These include things such as abstinence from all alcohol, immediate installation of devices such as ignition interlock, and attending alcohol abuse classes as well.

· Oftentimes, alleged DUI offenders (who will appear in court unrepresented) are taken immediately to jail until they post bail. No credit cards or personal checks are accepted for it. They really have to stay in jail until arrangements are made. Therefore, it’s critical that an experienced DUI Washington lawyer represent them and ensure their immediate release.

Tags: dui, Washington, Washington lawyer
Posted in dui, dui laws, dui washington | No Comments »

DUI Laws Blog is open!

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

This blog will feature DUI laws in all 50 states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Tags: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Posted in Uncategorized, dui attorney, dui california, dui florida, dui illinois, dui laws, dui lawyers, dui new jersey, dui oregon | No Comments »