2015 Legislative Changes Regarding Probate & Trust

inheritance tax code iowa

The 2015 Legislature recently adjourned for the year. I will summarize the major items of legislation which were passed by the House and Senate. Iowa inheritance tax changes were made in regard to bequests going to the children of step-children.   Prior to the passage of the act, there was no Iowa inheritance tax owed from bequests passing to the surviving spouse, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other lineal descendants. The new Act provides that bequests passing to lineal descendants of a decedent’s stepchildren will also be exempt from Iowa inheritance tax.   The bill does not

More Legal News & Information...

Planting a Tree – Iowa Tax Strategies

planting a tree Iowa legal strategies

The question was asked of a forester, “what is the best time to plant a tree?” The answer was 40 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today. So what is my point? Now that Iowa tax season is behind us, it is appropriate to take time and reflect on how we could have made the process of gathering income tax information less stressful. Gathering information on the income-side is relatively easy. That information is sent to you by a payer of interest or dividends, a K-1 from a partnership or Sub-S Corporation or some other

More Legal News & Information...

Real Estate Law – Sell Your Home By Yourself

home sales by owner des moines real estate lawyer

Spring has finally arrived and sales of homes are picking up. Most homeowners opt to list their homes with a realtor. The commission due to a realtor on the sale of a home is generally seven percent (7%) of the sales price. This can be a significant expense. For example, the 7 percent commission on the sale of a $250,000.00 home is $17,500.00. Another option is to list your home for sale by yourself and to retain an attorney to assist you with the sale. The attorney can assist by preparing the various disclosures which are required to be provided

More Legal News & Information...

‘Tis The Season – (TAX Season, that is)

tax season des moines iowa lawyer

“Tis the Season!” We wish you a Happy Holiday Season wherever you reside, whether it be in Adel, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Colfax, Dallas Center, Des Moines, Earlham, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Mitchelville, Norwalk, Polk City, Prairie City, Runnells, Van Meter, Waukee or West Des Moines, we hope you have a joyous time with friends, family and associates. Of course, though, following the Holiday Season there is a another, more ominous season. That season is “The Tax Season”. It is not my intent to bring you “doom and gloom”, rather I am inviting you to think about what you

More Legal News & Information...