Yes, it is possible to assign your interest, but it will be treated as a gift from you to the other person. You should be careful not to "disclaim" your inheritance, as that would prevent your ability to direct the inheritance to anyone (the disclaimed inheritance would go to the next... View More

An appraisal is required for most tangible personal property that the decedent dies owning. Under Maryland law a Personal Representative can only value certain kinds of personal property (e.g., automobiles with a blue book value). Unfortunately furniture is not in the list of items a Personal... View More

Generally speaking anyone can pay anyone else's property taxes... the state will not reimburse someone for paying taxes on property they do not own.

However, the question prompts another - how was there confusion on the ownership of the property? Tax bills show the name of the... View More

A gift is a gift, unconditional and complete upon transfer to the recipient. There are no "take-backs." If the giver now claims it was a loan, then it's a dispute of fact. Your word versus theirs, plus any evidence that supports your claim that it was a gift and not a loan. You... View More

Yes. Make a lower offer. If refused, when the house is put up for sale, bid on on it like anyone else. You may end up being the higher bidder, but don’t bid more than you think it’s worth.

Your sister, as Personal Representative of your mother's estate, has the legal obligations that go along with that office. One of those obligations is to file your mother's and the estate's tax returns, including any past years returns not filed. She can use the house proceeds... View More

Most tax advantages can be obtained with or without a trust, as the primary benefit of a trust is to adress other management and estate plannng purposes (such as avoiding the probate process, but in Maryland that is not always that significant of a reason). There are two types of trusts: revocable... View More

Didn’t I answer this yesterday. When you sign papers, they matter. Let a lawyer review what you sighed… ya’know… like the grown ups. You will likely pay for the review.

To recap, you need to review the real documents with a real lawyer. And, the next time you "signed a document her Father wrote that stated my signature signified I was off the deed" without reviewing it with a lawyer, you'll get exactly what the document might or might not say. What... View More

So this is clear under federal income tax law: inheritances are not income. States that have an income tax *generally* piggy back the federal law. So, generally, the only income tax implications that may be tangentially applicable is the "step-up" in income tax basis for the eventual... View More

A vending machine license is not required if the following items are offered for sale:

Cigarettes - (Special laws govern the sales of cigarettes through a vending machine. For more information, contact the State License Bureau or the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which the... View More

Maryland has 20 years to collect back income taxes, and they past due balance earns more than 13% annual interest, so the amount you owe is growing. They accept payment plans.

Treasury Decision 9884 contains the final regulations on this issue, and include a special rule allowing the estate to figure its estate tax credit using the higher of the basic exclusion amount (BEA) applicable to gifts made during life or the BEA applicable on the date of death. So, if you give... View More

First, understand what is taxed and what portion of a taxable gain may be exempt from taxation: You can sell your primary residence exempt of capital gains taxes on the first $250,000 if you are single, and $500,000 if married and the property is jointly owed. This exemption is only allowable once... View More

Maryland does not tax inheritance of lineal heirs, parents or spouses. A lineal heir is the the direct descendant of the decedent (son, daughter, granddaughter, etc.). Maryland also does not tax a named beneficiary's receipt of funds from a financial account or life insurance policy under a... View More

You should consult with an attorney in North Carolina since that is where the tax lien was reported. They can help you straighten it out in North Carolina.

You risk being held in contempt of court, fined, paying your ex wife’s attorneys fees, reimbursing her for the credit, incurring your own legal fees and costs traveling back for court, and jail. But if the principle is worth that much to you, feel free to thumb your nose at the judge. I cannot... View More

You can amend the inventory value based either on the tax assessed value or an appraisal by a certified real estate appraiser (not just a real estate agent doing a valuation—must be a certified appraisal). The tax basis in the Property is fixed as of the date of death regardless of whether the... View More

Property tax liens tend to have super priority, meaning they stand first in line before most other kinds of liens. This means that in most cases, if proper notice is given, a tax sale foreclosure case wipes out the other liens and transfers the property free and clear of lesser liens.... View More

No, you will not personally owe your husband's tax debt, but you may want to consult a CPA before filing joint tax returns as a married couple, as opposed to married filing separately. When you purchase your house, title it under your name alone, as the IRS can attach any property in which... View More