Altman Speaks

• A Special Needs Trust is a Valuable Estate Planning and Investment Tool September 1, 2010
  There is much confusion over the function of a Special Needs Trust.  Special Needs Trusts (sometimes referred to as Supplemental Needs Trusts) are designed to provide benefits to, and protect the assets of, physically disabled or mentally disabled persons while still allowing them to be qualified for and receive governmental health care benefits, especially long-term [...]
• For My Maryland Readers August 4, 2010
  Shop Maryland Week begins Sunday, August 8th through the 14th. This means that qualifying apparel and footwear less than $100 is exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. Maryland will also be offering in 2011 a tax-free three day weekend February 19th through February 21, 2011. The sales tax will not be [...]
• Florida’s Ruling on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Trustees August 2, 2010
  Florida is the latest state to jump on the liability reduction bandwagon with new section 736.0902 (Non-application of Prudent Investor Rule),that limits the duties and liability of Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) trustees Freed from investment responsibilities with respect to an asset that few trustees profess to fully understand, the trustee may focus on paying [...]