Going, Going, Gone!

Tax-free transfers – gifting – of the family cottage to future generations via a cottage succession plan is a great opportunity for cottage owners to enjoy considerable tax savings while real estate values are suppressed.

U.S. taxpayers are experiencing a “perfect storm” of opportunity to make tax-free transfers (gifts) of assets such as family businesses, real estate and other wealth from one generation to the next. The gift tax was first enacted in 1932 by the federal government. Over the coming months, we all have what may be the best opportunity since 1932 to gift family assets without a gift tax now and to avoid significant estate taxes later.

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Michigan Cottage Law definitely gains new perspective on game day in Michigan!

Hope you found the right crowd of fans to gather at your Michigan family cottage to watch and enjoy the game. Such rivalry and so much at stake on a day like today.

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Every time I watch an English movie or see a program set in England I can’t help but notice beautiful English country estates. As an attorney I look at the lavish estates and think about the right to partition and how our real estate laws are based on 600 year old laws. What does this have to do with your family cottage? Plenty. Our current real estate laws put your family cottage at risk. Why? Simply because real estate law does not promote keeping the family cottage in the family for multiple generations. It involves how the cottage is owned. Direct ownership and indirect ownership is what makes the difference. Cottage Succession Planning provides a solution to someone being able to invoke a Right to Partition. Read more about family cottage risks on our website at http://www.cottage-law.com/cottage-risks.html

Dan A. Penning