One of the simplest and most effective estate planning strategies is making lifetime gifts. But, many folks are worried about the tax implications of giving large gifts. What Is the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion? Federal law allows you to give up to $19,000 per recipient in 2026 without using any of your lifetime exemption. Married couples can…
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The School Nutrition Program at Great Falls Public Schools The School Nutrition Program at GFPS is committed to making sure every student arrives in the classroom ready to learn—supported by access to nutritious, appealing, and affordable meals each day. Through the federally assisted National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, our teams serve more than…
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Owning Property in Other States: Unexpected Legal Issues Many Montanans own property beyond our state lines — a snowbird condo in Arizona, family farmland in North Dakota, or a family cabin in Idaho. While this can be a wonderful way to build wealth or escape the Montana winter, it also creates a legal issue many people don’t realize until it’s too late: multiple…
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Keeping It In The Family – How To Protect Assets From In-Laws. One of the biggest concerns for many parents is “if my child gets divorced, will their ex-spouse end up with half of our family farm?” When you leave your kids’ inheritance to them outright as individuals, yes, it is possible it could be split in a divorce. Yes, inherited property is…
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Do I Have to Pay Capital Gains Tax If I Sell My Home in Montana? Since property values in Montana have skyrocketed in recent years, many clients are concerned that they will owe substantial capital gains tax if they sell their residence to move or downsize. For many Montana homeowners, the answer is no, you…
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I’ve Got My Estate Planning Documents, Now What Do I Do With Them? Graduation day. Your wedding. The birth of your child. The day you sign your estate planning documents. We all know that these are the biggest days of your life. Once you get home and you come down from the thrill you experienced…
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When and How Can a Trust be Modified? Plans, assets, laws, and family dynamics all change over the years. Whether it has been one year or thirty years since you established your trust, you may have changed your mind on some of your decisions. Maybe your son ticked you off, and you want to give…
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As 2025 comes to an end, it is always a time for reflection and gratitude. This year, we are grateful for our Charity Partner of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters. Their mission to serve our community through mentorship. We are grateful to our attorneys, Keith, Jon, and Trevor, for always leading by example and…
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New Montana Property Tax Rates for Homesteads and Rentals The 2025 Montana Legislature passed a new property tax system, which will take full effect in 2026. In general, most primary residences and long-term rentals will have lower tax bills, while short-term rentals, second homes, and commercial properties will have higher tax bills. High-value primary residences…
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Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans Due to the exploding costs of long-term care facilities (some facilities in Great Falls have rooms that cost $12,000+ per month), a key component of modern estate planning is addressing long-term care costs. Montana Estate Lawyers attorneys often talk with clients about Medicare and Medicaid for long-term care. These programs…
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