StokesLaw™ Briefs

The new tax reform law, commonly called the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (TCJA), is the biggest federal tax law overhaul in 31 years, and it has both good and bad news for taxpayers.

Washington's new trust decanting law grants trustees decanting powers over irrevocable trusts. Jenna Ichikawa explains what this means for irrevocable trusts in which the trustee has discretionary power to make distributions of principal.

Washington's new power of attorney act will go info effect January 1, 2017. Ellen Jackson summarizes key points of the new law.

The end of the year often means gift giving, and many families consider contributing to savings for a child's future college education as a gift. Ellen Jackson outlines the differences between Guaranteed Education Tuition Programs and 529 Plans.

Proposed regulations under the Internal Revenue Code are designed to eliminate or significantly reduce the discounts that will be available when valuing interests in family-owned entities for gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax purposes. Katie Groblewski explains the implications.

Washington is one of only 10 community property states in the United States. Ellen Jackson shares the basics on community property law and how it pertains to estate planning.