by Sanford Okura | Oct 14, 2009 | Estate Planning
In estate planning, it is important to understand “stepped up basis.” When you buy property (for example, real estate or stocks) your “tax basis” in the property is the amount you pay for the property. When you sell the property, you have profit or “gain” equal to...
by Sanford Okura | Aug 31, 2009 | Estate Planning
When a person dies with $100,000 or less in assets, there are simple ways to settle the estate. One way is to use an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property. Another way is to have the clerk of the circuit court open a Small Estate proceeding. ...
by Sanford Okura | Jul 9, 2009 | Estate Planning
The following is a copy of the Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed changes to Hawaii’s Medicaid rules found in Hawaii Administrative Rules. The public hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2009. Many of the proposed changes are required by the...
by Sanford Okura | Mar 26, 2009 | Estate Planning
Whenever you give away assets, there are laws in three different areas to consider: 1) gift taxes; 2) Medicaid rules for nursing home costs; and 3) capital gains taxes. Many people think you can give only $10,000 tax-free to each individual. Actually, the amount is...
by Sanford Okura | Feb 6, 2009 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning
The economic news continues to get worse and worse. First, here is a brief summary of some of the advice I offered in last month’s Estate Planning Insights. Make sure that your savings accounts, checking accounts and certificates of deposit are in...
by Sanford Okura | Jan 3, 2009 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning
Nearly every day now, newspapers and televisions are blasting us with information about how bad the economy is. We are in the worst economic crisis since the great depression of the 1930’s. In the midst of this financial crisis, what can you do to protect your...
