Big Changes For Proposition 13 – Proposed for November 2020
BIG CHANGES FOR PROPOSITION 13 Proposed for November 2020 If you own real estate in California and were planning on passing the property to your children or if you own or lease commercial or industrial property, significant tax increases may be coming your way. Please...
Follow McDowall Cotter on Social Media
McDowall Cotter is now available on several social media platforms! To get all of our exciting announcements, virtual event reminders, new articles and so much more, follow us on any of the platforms listed below. McDowall Cotter Instagram McDowall Cotter LinkedIn...
McDowall Cotter Pro Bono Service
"Pro bono publico" is a Latin phrase that's typically shortened to "pro bono" when it's used in the legal profession. It means “for the good of the people," and it refers to legal services performed free of charge or at reduced fees for the public good. Pro bono...
Everyone Has Their Own Way of Looking at Things
Everyone Has Their Own Way of Looking at Things Chacun voit midi à sa porte. -French proverb By Sophia Cizmarik Everyone has their own way of looking at things, especially when it comes to your health care decisions. Further, your own view may change depending on what...
Happy Birthday! Your Child is a Legal Adult
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY! YOUR CHILD IS A LEGAL ADULT! Do you have a child that just turned 18 who is going off to college or beginning a new chapter in their life? It’s an exciting time where they’re thinking about what school they’re deciding on, what majors they’re...
Proposed Legislation that may Trigger Reassessment of Commercial Property
PROPOSED LEGISLATION MAY TRIGGER REASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND MAY TRIGGER REASSESSMENT ON TRANSFER OF YOUR HOME TO YOUR CHILDREN Proposition 13, approved by voters in 1978, set a landmark measure that set property taxes at a low rate in California....
Property Tax Reduction on the 2018 November Ballet
** Previously reported this article stated that there was no age limitation which is an error. The age limitation is 55 years or older. ** On next November’s ballot, California Proposition 5, the “Property Tax Transfer Initiative,” would add a wrinkle to existing...
End of Life Act
End of Life Act New options to end life marks the beginning of a new era in California. After a few decades of debate, “The End of Life Option Act” has been signed into law providing terminally ill patients with the option to die sooner with dignity. On October 05,...
New IRS Filing Requirement for 2016
If you filed an Estate Tax Return after July 2015, the IRS is now requiring you to also file Form 8971 (and accompanying Schedule(s) A) before March 31, 2016. The purpose of this form is to ensure that information on property values reported to the IRS by Executors...
Truths and Myths About Estate Planning
Truths - An estate plan that utilizes a “fully funded” revocable living trust avoids probate. Fully funded means that all appropriate assets are titled in the name of the trustees of the trust. Please note, retirement plans should not be retitled to your trust! True...
We are here to help. Get in touch.
If you are interested in our services or have any questions, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can.