Steve M. and Khristine Norton, et al. - Page 3




                                        - 3 -                                         
                                  FINDINGS OF FACT                                    
               Some facts have been stipulated and are so found.  The                 
          stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits are incorporated             
          herein by this reference.  Petitioners Steve M. Norton (Mr.                 
          Norton) and Khristine Norton (Mrs. Norton), husband and wife,               
          resided in Palmer, Alaska, at the time they filed their                     
          petitions.  Petitioners South Denali Lands Trust and Denali                 
          Company Trust had mailing addresses in Palmer, Alaska, at the               
          time of the filing of the petitions.                                        
               Mr. Norton is a general contractor in the construction                 
          business.  He operated a sole proprietorship under the name of              
          Steve Norton Enterprises (SNE).  In 1973, he moved to Alaska from           
          Oregon.  In the early 1980s, Mr. Norton purchased residential               
          real estate in Alaska for income and investment purposes.  Due to           
          a downturn in the State’s economy, his rental units became                  
          vacant, the value of his real estate sharply decreased, and Mr.             
          Norton could not find any contract work.  As a result, almost all           
          of the real estate that Mr. Norton owned was foreclosed upon,               
          and, in 1987, Mr. and Mrs. Norton filed a bankruptcy petition.              
               In 1993, Mr. Norton went to a presentation at his church by            
          Lonnie Crockett (Mr. Crockett) concerning trust2 programs.  Mr.             
          Norton attempted to consult his attorney about the trust                    


               2  For convenience, we use the terms “trust” and “trustee”.            
          The use of such terms is not intended to be conclusive as to                
          characterization for tax purposes.                                          





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