Estate and Trust Administration
msnitzer@pasternakfidis.com
T 301.656.8850 Ext. 441
F 301.656.3053
7101 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1025
Bethesda, MD 20814
Education
B.A., Colorado College
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law, magna cum laude
LL.M. in Taxation, Georgetown University Law Center
Bar Admissions
Maryland
New York
Micah is an associate in the Firm’s Estate Planning and Administration Group. Micah represents individuals in a range of estate planning matters, including the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and designations of standby guardian. He enjoys advising clients through the entire estate planning process so that their estate planning goals are met and they feel empowered after executing their estate plan.
Micah received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude, and his B.A. from Colorado College. In addition, he received an LL.M. in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning from Georgetown University Law Center. He is admitted to the bars of New York and Maryland. Micah was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable James F. Schneider of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore Division) for two years after completing his law degree. Before joining Pasternak & Fidis, he was in private practice in Baltimore.
Growing up in Minnesota, he became an avid Vikings and Timberwolves fan. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife, son, and toddler daughter.
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (the “SECURE Act”) took effect January 1, 2020, revising federal rules that govern the administration of qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) and 403(b) plans) and IRAs. Among the changes effected by the new law is the shrinking of the class of beneficiaries who can stretch out their required minimum distributions (RMDs) from such accounts over their expected lifetime. This stretch of RMDs was a tax benefit, because it allowed the beneficiary to defer income tax, keeping assets in the tax-favored vehicle as long as possible, where they could grow without diminishment; it is only upon distribution that the assets would be subject to income tax.
The SECURE Act imposes a maximum 10-year payout rule for retirement accounts… MORE >
In response to budgetary pressures, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the “Estate Tax Adjustment Amendment Act of 2020.” The Act reduces the estate tax exemption from $5.76million in 2020 to $4 million for decedents dying on or after January 1, 2021. The exemption amount will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2022 and will continue to be non-portable between spouses. The Act becomes law on November 2, 2020, 60 days from the date it was submitted to Congress for passive review. The change to the D.C. estate tax exemption amount is a reminder of the importance of crafting an estate plan with sufficient flexibility to accommodate unanticipated changes to the estate tax laws. D.C. residents whose estates exceed the $4.0 million estate tax exemption amount may wish to… MORE >
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (the “SECURE Act”) took effect January 1, 2020, revising federal rules that govern the administration of qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) and 403(b) plans) and IRAs. Among the changes effected by the new law is the shrinking of the class of beneficiaries who can “stretch” out their required minimum distributions (“RMDs”) from such accounts over their expected lifetime. This stretch of RMDs was a tax benefit, because it allowed the beneficiary to defer income tax, keeping assets in the tax-favored vehicle as long as possible, where they could grow without diminishment; it is only upon distribution that the assets would be subject to income tax.
The SECURE Act imposes a maximum 10-year payout rule for retirement accounts… MORE >
After a divorce, the last thing on most people’s minds is contacting their estate planning attorney. However, if you fail to revise your estate planning documents after your divorce, your former spouse might still be a beneficiary of your estate and may continue to be a fiduciary under your will, revocable trust, power of attorney, or advance health care directive. Below is a table that summarizes how divorce affects these documents under D.C., Maryland, and Virginia law.
D.C. Maryland Virginia Wills Divorce and final property settlement revokes the entire will. If the testator does not execute a new will, or republish his or her old will, he or she will die intestate. Divorce revokes all provisions of a will relating to the former spouse, unless… MORE >
