Tax question. When making a donation to the American Red Cross how does this affect your tax return?

Yes, and yes. Here is IRS Publication 526 tat sets out the rules. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html Assuming you donated cash...

Mother is 89 with dementia. i have a signed general durable power of attorney naming me. is this enforcable now?

Not all powers of attorney are "durable." Durable means it remains in effect even when the principal becomes legally incapacitated. You should make...

If a son was power of attorney of mothers will and couple of yrs ago he POD to his name does money go into her estate after deat

I am not licensed in NC, so can only respond in general terms. If the account is POD and he is the beneficiary, the financial institution will...

Father was buying item from private party. Still owes money did not take posession of item yet. What now?

The personal representative of the estate must first decide whether it is in the interests of the beneficiaries to complete the purchase. If...

A Massachusetts couple transferred their condo to their adult daughter for $1.00 and reserved a life estate in the property.

If the federal estate tax is in force when the couple dies, the determination of whether or not the condo receives an adjustment to basis for...

Can a Roth IRA be levied by creditors?

I am not licensed in CA, so I can only comment in general terms. In CA (unlike WA where I practice), the law provides only limited protection for...

How is custody of a dog determined after a couple who has lived together split up?

Poor dog! Isn't there any way you can work this out? The dog is not a human being, no matter how you feel toward it. Under the law there is no...

I am not licensed in AZ, so I can only comment in general terms. I think it would be a stretch if personal cell phone use was the only factor, to...

Property that spouse was gifted by his dad before married i paid for material to remodel it over an 8 year period am i entitled

Under WA community property laws, the gift was initially his separate property. The materials that went into the improvements were community...

I am not licensed in NC, so I can only comment in general terms. Before following my colleague's advice, ask your local probate counsel whether the...