Coverage Insurance

Posts Tagged ‘Should’

In 1995 the Arizona legislature authorized a husband and wife to hold title to their home (and other real property and even personal property such as stocks and bonds) as community property with right of survivorship (“CPWROS”).

Prior to this1995 Arizona real estate law a husband and wife either held title to their home as community property (“husband and wife”) or, most commonly, as joint tenants with right of survivorship (“JTWROS”). Community property had the tax advantage of a step-up in basis of both halves of the home when the surviving spouse sold the home, but had the disadvantage of requiring probate. JTWROS had the tax disadvantage of a step-up in basis of only the deceased spouse’s one-half interest in the home, but had the major advantage of transferring title to the home to the surviving spouse without any requirement of probate. The purpose of the 1995 legislation authorizing CPWROS was to have the “best of both worlds,” namely, after the death of the first spouse a step-up in basis of both halves of the home, but without probate.

The following simplified example will illustrate the importance of a step-up in basis of both halves of the home. A husband and wife buy a home for $40,000 (each has a basis of $20,000). Ten years later the husband dies and the home is now worth $100,000. The wife then sells the home for $100,000.

If the home is JTWROS property, only the deceased husband’s one-half interest will be deemed by the IRS to have a step-up in basis, and the wife will have a taxable gain of $30,000 ($100,000 sale price less deceased husband’s 100% step-up in basis to $50,000 less wife’s original basis of $20,000).

If the home is CPWROS property, both halves will be deemed by the IRS to have a step-up in basis, and the wife will have no taxable gain ($100,000 sale price less deceased husband’s 100% step-up in basis to $50,000 less wife’s 100% step-up in basis to $50,000).

In addition to the tax advantage of owning real property as CPWROS, as opposed to JTWROS, CPWROS real property can only be sold or mortgaged with the consent of both the husband and the wife. JTWROS real property can be sold or mortgaged by either spouse without the consent or even the knowledge of the other spouse.

If a husband and wife want to transfer the title to a home or other real property from JTWROS to CPWROS, they should contact the title insurance company that insured the title at the time of closing. The title insurance company will normally prepare the necessary transfer documentation for a minimal fee, generally less than $250.

Note: Since 1997 a husband and a wife have the $500,000 capital gain exemption on the sale of a principal residence. This $500,000 capital gain exemption is generally available after the death of one of the spouses if a joint tax return is filed and the principal residence is sold in the year of death. Otherwise, the $250,000 capital gain exemption is only available. Therefore, a husband and wife holding title to their home as CPWROS is not as important as with other types of real property, unless there has been significant appreciation of at least $250,000 in the value of the home.

Backpacker travel insurance is the best way to ensure your carefree holiday remains carefree. With backpacker travel insurance you can be sure to save your money and still put your worries to rest.

The ideal backpacker’s holiday is one that traverses boundaries and braves danger, the luxury resorts and billion-dollar views are passed up in favour of rustic hostels and priceless experiences. It’s about adventure, and where there is adventure, there is risk. Without the security that comes with 5 star hotel vaults and from the certain knowledge of where one will be spending the night (more than a few hours in advance) there is even greater risk of things going awry.

Travelling backpacker style often means being a traveler prepared for the worst, being a traveler with a plan. And when it comes down to it, there is no better plan, than a backpackers travel insurance plan. Backpacker travel insurance offers policies and plans which can be tailored to your needs and made within your budget. Cheap backpacker travel insurance does not have to mean compromised cover, your holiday adventure can still be fully secured and your worst nightmares kept at bay.

The beauty of travel insurance for backpackers is that it is designed with backpackers in mind: policies for single trip, multi trip, or even annual trip travel insurance are available. Whether you are looking for backpacking travel insurance to cover the inherent risks of your lifelong dream to backpack your way around Australia or whether domestic travel is a little too on the safe side – and you need insurance cover for an overseas sojourn with no set return date, backpacker travel insurance will ensure you get the cover you at a cost you can live with.

There are insurance plans and policies to cover hitchhiking, trekking, road trips, boat trips. Whatever traveling you have in mind and wherever you want your travel to take you, backpacker travel insurance gives you the flexibility that is necessary when it comes to taking a backpacking holiday. A policy suited to you, and your as yet unknown destinations, a policy designed with your uncertainty in mind, backpacker travel insurance is sure to provide you with the best cover you can hope for at as little a cost as you can imagine.

When you purchase a backpacker travel insurance plan you are not buying hidden extras which simply won’t apply to you, you are not paying for add-ons that are more likely to be implemented when you slip on a spilt martini along glass tiles of the roof top pool of some ritzy five star hotel. No, with backpacker travel insurance the policy is tailor made for the type of risks and dangers a traveling backpacker is far more likely to encounter. Backpacker travel insurance can provide monetary compensation for flood damage to your belongings, health cover for malaria and other tropical diseases, immediate cash pay outs to cover the expense of an urgent mechanic repair to your combine van. For backpackers who are serious about their travelling and sensible about their cover, backpacker travel insurance is the only way to go.