PodcastPGH of the Legal Podcast Network

Episode 7: Initial discussion about the Fiscal Cliff Deal as it pertains to Estate and Gift Taxes. This episode covers the basics of Annual Exclusion gifting and the Lifetime Exemption. Listener email segment answers the question “When do I need to update my will?” Send your listener comments and questions to [email protected]

Episode 6 discusses oil and gas (“O&G”) rights where Shale Leasing occurs.  O&G companies lease the right to produce these lands. The O&G owner is the typically the same person who owns the surface property, but not always. In some cases, these rights have been severed. There are ways to determine if you are the owner if these rights. There are also some reasons that you might consider severing the oil and gas rights from your surface property.

Our first episode of 2013 covers some of the reasons for writing a will and some of the other preliminary documents that should be included in everyone's estate planning no matter the size of their estate may be.

Today’s episode covers the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations. Our guest is Joe Baran from Bertison George.  I’ve worked with Joe for the past few years.  He has provided the oil and gas valuations for most of my shale estate planning and probate clients. He provides a lot of interesting information and insights into the industry, including market pricing, infrastructure development, and some of the secondary economic benefits of the industry coming to our area. We focus most of our attention on Pennsylvania and Ohio which is fitting since we recorded a few days before the election.  The oil and gas industry has also focused their attention here with slightly less interest in WVA, and New York State for a few reasons which we touch on briefly.