Time running out on homebuyer tax credit - Mar. 30, 2010

As CNN reports the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit and the $6,5000 for those who are trading up ends in a month with contracts completed by the end of April and to close before July 1. The article describes all the requirements and who qualifies for this as well as the best markets to buy in. In parts of Oregon for example they are anticipating record gains while in Miami 22.5% decline is expected.

Time running out on homebuyer tax credit - Mar. 30, 2010

CA Divorce case expected to cost around $19 Million

The case of Frank and Jamie Mcourt shows the importance of having a valid pre or post nuptial agreement with the necessary disclosure depending on the situation and having both parties having been represented by counsel enter into knowingly and voluntarily and being certain that it covers all eventual possibilities. Absurdly even with a post nuptial agreement the owner of the Dodgers and his wife are expected to spend up to or around $19 million dollars in legal fees.

She signed an agreement that said she would get $65 million in real estate in the event of a divorce, cheated on him with her driver and bodyguard who worked for the Dodgers used company money to travel with him to France then filed for divorce and is demanding a million a month in order to keep up her insane standard of living. A hearing was going on today regarding the alimony until a decision on the division of assets can be made. He generously offered $150,000 while she is seeking a million a month despite the fact that as his attorneys point out she could rent or sell any of her seven homes for support.

It is being called the nastiest billionaire divorce and further details can be seen from the link below.

The Nastiest Billionaire Divorce Ever: Jamie And Frank McCourt*

Threat Letter was part of snack heir suicide

As AP reported through Yahoo News Major Bashinsky was a wealthy estate attorney in his 60's living in Alabama who was married with grown children. His father founded a snack food company in the 40's that had over $120 million in net sales in 2009. When his father died his step mother inherited nearly all of his stock in the company. Making this a stranger story though was that there had been letters apparently from someone unhappy with the family business then when he was found there were further elements designed to make it appear as though he was kidnapped and murdered. Purely speculation but possibly he had an insurance policy he wanted his family to receive but suicide would violate the terms although he was already wealthy and after a number of years they are often past a period in which they can be contested. Also purely speculation and cynical thinking but possibly he was upset that his step mom received nearly all the stock in the company and wanted it to look like the company had acting improperly as the letters indicated.

Corner found him at a pond shot to death but have determined that he wrote the letters which claimed that dividends were taken by the family at the expense of the workers and a mysterious group with have to "act with urgency" without saying what would happen. Soon after on March 15 he was found in a pond at a golf course and it has been determined he shot himself.

Coroner: Threat letter part of snack heir suicide - Yahoo! News

92 year old Woman, charged with killing 98-year-old husband in Australia

A sad story as MSNBC.com reports a woman is charged with murdering her husband after he had a head wound. Not common for 90 year old spouses to murder one another although if it were to happen in Florida or most places in the US that person would be unable to inherit from the persons estate that they intentionally and unlawfully cause the death to occur as a result of actions they took. In Florida it is what is called the Slayer Statute which is Florida statute 732.802 and can be read by clicking here. It is public policy that those who do an illegal act should not then benefit as a result.

Cops: Woman, 92, kills 98-year-old husband - Asia-Pacific - msnbc.com

Michael Jackson's Estate filed probate documents stating he had no spouse at his death.

Team Jacko -- There Was NO Secret Wife! | TMZ.com

As TMZ reports the Probate Attorneys for his estate filed with the court which emphatically state that he was not married at the time of his death.

Next week there will be two hearings for spousal property of woman who claim to be his spouse.

Hearings are set for both March 30 and April 13.

10 expenses you may think you can deduct on your taxes, but can't

10 expenses you may think you can deduct on your taxes, but can't

As Kelly Philips Erb at the linked article above points out and describes each topic below are 10 topics which some people may think are deductible on their taxes but are not.

1 Child Support

2 Personal Legal Expenses

3 Gambling Loses

4 Hobby Loses that exceed gains

5 Roth IRA

6 Weight Loss Programs

7 Home Repairs

8 some commuting expenses see article for further info

9 services given to charity

10 Changing careers except in certain situations.

Investigation into Jackson, Murphy, Haim Deaths | TMZ.com

With a string of celebrities dying as a result of a large number of prescriptions with a number of them being filled through various aliases TMZ is reporting that the attorney General for California and investigators are looking into the matter. 25-30 doctors are being actively investigated for giving prescriptions to patients without medical justification.

This occurred a few years ago as well when Anna Nicole died in Hollywood Florida. Her boyfriend and attorney Howard Stern and a few doctors were charged in 2009.

Michael Jackson's doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter as the NY Times reports.

Investigation into Jackson, Murphy, Haim Deaths | TMZ.com

Yitta Schwartz, Who Died at 93, Had 2,000 Living Descendants - NYTimes.com

With Passover on Monday thought I would post a link to the nice New York Times story about a woman who was a Holocaust survivor and lived to the age of 93. She had nearly 2000 descendants including more than 200 grandchildren and most of the family lived near her in New York.

Yitta Schwartz, Who Died at 93, Had 2,000 Living Descendants - NYTimes.com

Real Estate 2010 Biggest price drops - Money Magazine on CNNMoney.com

Bad news for South Florida in the CNN estimated price changes for the next year 3 of the top 4 expected to have the largest drops in home values over the next year are all south Florida with Miami at number two followed by Fort Lauderdale at # 3 21.3% expected drop and West Palm Beach, Florida at number 4 with a 18.5% expected drop.

Also of interest all of the top 9 most significant drops were in areas with warm weather most of whom had the most significant run ups value during the housing boom and 6 of the top 9 are located in Florida. The full list can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Real Estate 2010 Biggest price drops - Money Magazine on CNNMoney.com

Vermont House endorses court restructuring bill | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont

As the article linked below reports Vermont is revising their probate court system by reducing the number of full time judges to 14 from just six along with 2 part time probate law judges. Given the current budget issues states are facing many different ways to need to cut costs.

In Florida the probate court and all circuit civil fees have gone up significantly in the past year although the number of judges has remained the same.

Vermont House endorses court restructuring bill | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont

Kids who lose parents still grieve as adults - CNN.com

Kids who lose parents still grieve as adults - CNN.com

The link above is from an interesting CNN article which points out that sadly one in seven Americans lose a parent before they turn the age of 20. It also discusses how their are not sufficient resources for helping deal with the loss of a parent.

Roger Miller's widow wins court fight over 1964 hits | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Widow of deceased former musical star awarded $900,000 in royalties following extended litigation regarding the copyrights to his songs. At the time of his death copyrights expired after 28 years and had to be renewed but he died prior to the renewal period. Having died the year prior to the renewal. As a result hiring a litigation attorney to help protect her interests was well worth her while as she and his music company will receive nearly a million dollars.

Roger Miller's widow wins court fight over 1964 hits | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Real Estate 2010 Biggest price gains - Money Magazine on CNNMoney.com

CNN lists the 25 cities expected to have the largest price increase in the next year. Unfortunately for Florida residents none were in Florida.

Real Estate 2010 Biggest price gains - Money Magazine on CNNMoney.com

Anna Nicole Smith Estate Takes Another Hit | TMZ.com

As TMZ reports Anna Nicole Smith which lost a big decision this past week saying they would receive no money from the estate of her billionaire husband had the State of California file a $45,308 tax lien against her estate for a 2008 delinquency after she died in 2007.

Anna Nicole Smith Estate Takes Another Hit | TMZ.com

Warren Buffett may be your best investment guide - MSN Money

An impressive track record of investing shows that those who invested in Warren Buffet since October of 1964 with just $10,000 at the time would have that investment compound at an annualized rate of 20% including the problems of the past few years. Even better for those investors that $10,000 which would be worth $60,000 in todays dollars would be worth $80,000,000 today. By Comparison the S&P Index by comparison would have the investment worth $560,000 today. The full details of the MSN article can be found at the link below.

Warren Buffett may be your best investment guide - MSN Money

10 states line up to sue over health bill, Florida AG says - CNN.com

10 states line up to sue over health bill, Florida AG says - CNN.com

With Billions of dollars at stake the fight over health care, taxes and other ways to pay for it continue.

Hopefully the Congress will move on to Estate Tax reform soon and give the American people some clarity on that issue. It has been pushed back as health care has been argued over.

The link above is a video and article discussing 10 states who will legally challenge the health bill once the President signs it.

Week Ending March 14, 2010: Hendrix Tops Elvis - Chart Watch

This article from Yahoo Music points out that Jimmy Hendrix just set the record for having a record in the top 5 of the charts the longest after a person had died. It is also a reminder of the significant amount of money that the estates of deceased celebrities earn after their death and how long this revenue stream continues.

Week Ending March 14, 2010: Hendrix Tops Elvis - Chart Watch

America's 25 Richest Counties

America's 25 Richest Counties - 1 - MSN Local Edition

Loudoun county Virginia with a median income of $110,643 is the richest county in the US based on median income. 19 of the 25 are on the East Coast and 6 are in the D.C. area.