When a loved one passes away, families selling their real estate can encounter unexpected legal differences compared to a typical home sale in Wisconsin. Normally, residential homeowners are required by law (Wisconsin Statute § 709.02) to provide buyers with a “Real Estate Condition Report,” a detailed disclosure about the condition of the property. But what […]
Many of our estate planning clients want to avoid the probate court process when they pass. Probate is a process where the court oversees the distribution of your assets upon your death. Probate is needed when assets are “frozen” upon your passing, and no one has the authority to close out a particular account or […]
As the ghosts and goblins appear and the hauntings begin, we’re reminded that some of the scarier things in life are not actually those that go bump in the night. Not having your estate plan completed or up to date may pose more frightening issues. In the spirit of Halloween, here is a tour through […]
In previous blog articles, we explored how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made significant cuts to several federal programs, especially Medicaid. Another monumental change under OBBBA was the permanent increase to the estate tax exemption. Starting on January 1, 2026, the estate tax threshold will be increased to $15 million per individual, which […]
The Proposed Bill and Its Goals The “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed by the House of Representatives in May and currently being discussed by Congress, may spell major changes for Medicaid. If adopted as it is now, eligibility for Medicaid will be drastically altered, potentially leaving millions without health insurance. The Bill’s primary purported goal, helping […]
Where do you live? Appleton, WI Where are you from? Combined Locks, WI, but I went to Kaukauna High School My legal practice… Focuses on estate planning and elder law, including estate tax planning and special needs trust planning. My family… Includes my mom, my dad, and my brother Nate. I am also lucky to […]
In a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy in 1789, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” He was absolutely correct, as our Constitution has been amended 27 times. […]
Deciding who to name as the beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA, or other qualified retirement account is a crucial part of estate planning. This decision can significantly impact how your assets are distributed and taxed after your death. With the introduction of the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act on January 1, […]
In Wisconsin, a Marital Property Agreement can be a valuable tool for estate planning, particularly for transferring property without going through probate, the legal process of distributing a deceased person’s estate, which is often both time-consuming and costly. Here’s how it works: What is a Marital Property Agreement? A Marital Property Agreement is a legal […]
McCarty Law LLP is proud to announce that partner Jon Fischer has been added to the Wispact board of directors. Wispact is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of life for Wisconsin residents with disabilities, particularly by establishing and managing Special Needs Trusts (SNT). SNTs are used to protect the assets […]
