A recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision confirms that living together, sharing expenses, or even signing an affidavit may not be enough to establish a common law marriage. Learn how Colorado courts evaluate common law marriage claims after Lundin and Hogsett, and the factors that can determine whether a legal marriage exists.
If you established an irrevocable trust years ago to reduce estate taxes, recent changes to the federal estate tax exemption may warrant a fresh review of your estate plan. With the exemption increasing to $15 million per individual in 2026, many families may find that income tax planning—particularly strategies involving step-up in basis and highly appreciated assets—has become more important than estate tax minimization. This article explores how the new tax landscape affects irrevocable trusts and outlines planning considerations for trustees, beneficiaries, and grantors seeking to maximize tax efficiency while preserving broader estate planning objectives.
