New Developments in the Estate Tax Law, Are you Affected?

February 12, 2010

A new development occurred on January 1, 2010, that affects the vast majority of our clients. Changes to the federal estate tax will affect our estate planning clients, while changes to the way capital gains will be calculated will affect all of our clients, including our elder law clients. The lawyers at Oast & Hook have studied the potential impact of the repeal of the federal estate tax and the generation skipping transfer tax, and Oast & Hook will present a free seminar to those who think they could be affected by these changes. Make sure your estate plan is not obsolete. Reserve your seat now. Oast & Hook will present this seminar twice on February 22nd at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. The first presentation begins at 10:00 a.m., and the second presentation begins at 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions about this seminar or if you would like to register for it, then please phone Oast & Hook at 757-399-7506.

Quarterly Social Worker Breakfast

Oast & Hook will hold its quarterly Social Workers and Administrators Breakfast on Monday, February 15th at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. The topic is “Paying for Long-term Care Without Running Out of Money.” Registration beings at 9:00 a.m., and the presentation begins at 9:30 a.m. Questions will be answered from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The breakfast is designed to be an educational opportunity for area professionals who work with seniors, the disabled, and their families. Seats are limited, so please register early for this breakfast by phoning Jennie Dell at 757-967-9704 or emailing her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ask Allie

O&H: Allie, we know dogs participate in agility competitions. We understand that cats now participate in such competitions. Please tell us about it.

Allie: Sure! According to a recent article in the Daily Press, Kim Everett-Hirsch of Portland, Oregon, launched her first cat agility competition in 2005. The courses include jumps, tunnels, stairs and weave poles to test the cats’ agility. Dogs are expected to perform each obstacle on command, while for cats, the obstacles are arranged in a circle, and the handler leads them around the course using either a laser toy or toy on a stick. “A cat’s a little different,” says Everett-Hirsch. “They’re running the show. You have to make them want to do it.” There were ten competitions in the past year, and this year there will be competitions in Hong Kong and mainland China. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) will grant titles to the highest scoring competitors for the first time this year. Anyone can enter a show and try out agility with their cat. Your cat needs to be comfortable in strange places in order to compete successfully. Agility training can positively affect the relationship between cat and family. It’s also a great way to see your cat being a cat, demonstrating its natural speed, intelligence, as well as agility. Hmmm, maybe my mom is actually trying to train with me for one of these competitions when she gets out the laser toy.... Time to find out!

Announcement

Letha McDowell will be giving a presentation at Province Place of DePaul, 6401 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia. The topic is “Long-term Care Planning in the Current Economy.” Reserve your seat now. Ms. McDowell will present this seminar twice on March 2nd. The first presentation begins at 2:00 p.m., and the second presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions about this seminar or if you would like to register for it, then please phone Jennifer Lantz at 757-399-7506.

Distribution of This Newsletter

Oast & Hook encourages you to share this newsletter with anyone who is interested in issues pertaining to the elderly, the disabled and their advocates. The information in this newsletter may be copied and distributed, without charge and without permission, but with appropriate citation to Oast & Hook, P.C. If you are interested in a free subscription to the Oast & Hook News, then please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , telephone us at 757-399-7506, or fax us at 757-397-1267.

This newsletter is not intended as a substitute for legal counsel. While every precaution has been taken to make this newsletter accurate, we assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages resulting from the use of the information in this newsletter.