Articles
What the New Tax Law Means to You
The law passed to deal with the so-called “fiscal cliff” included revisions to estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax laws and income tax laws that will affect estate planning for the foreseeable future. In this edition of The Wealth Advisor, we...
Don’t Let the Tax Tail Wag the Dog: Client Concerns, Not the Estate Tax, Should Drive Estate Planning
Washington’s negotiations about 2013 tax laws are getting lots of press. As estate planning professionals, we are often asked our opinions about what the 2013 estate tax laws might be and the resulting implications for our clients. But for the vast majority of...
Year-End Tax Planning In 2012
Year-end tax planning is always important, but this year it is especially difficult because of uncertainty about what the tax laws will be for 2013. The Bush-era tax cuts are scheduled to expire on December 31 and the President and Congress have once again delayed...
Uncovering Charitable Planning Opportunities
Charitable giving is discretionary spending. It is affected by both the economy and the income tax rates. Not surprisingly, charitable giving has been down in recent years, but this does not mean clients are less charitably inclined. Many just need to be pointed in...
When Is It Time to Service Your Estate Plan?
This Article defines guidelines for Estate upkeep and maintenance. Taken from EstatePlanning.com
The Top Ten Reasons You Need to Do Estate Planning in 2012
Visit EstatePlanning.com for free resources, including a one-hour webinar on Planning Opportunities Not to Miss in 2012, November 16, 2012, at 2 p.m. E.T. Does it seem like you are hearing more about estate planning lately? Well, you probably are. The financial press...
How to Talk to Prospective Clients about Estate Planning
Helping clients build, manage and protect their wealth is the goal of each member of the advisory team—financial/investment advisors, CPAs, attorneys and insurance agents. Estate planning is part of this larger process and, as a result, should be on each advisor’s...
Income Tax Issues When Planning for the Sale of a Closely Held Business
When a closely held business is a significant part of a client’s estate, as is often the case, business succession planning becomes an important part of the client’s estate planning. Estate planning issues include how to turn the business into cash for the owner’s...
Estate Planning for Disability
Planning for the possibility of disability is probably the most overlooked part of estate planning. While many people will give serious consideration to estate planning for their death, few will seriously consider planning for their disability. Yet disability planning...
The Door Is Closing – Unique Gift and Estate Planning Opportunities in 2012
2012 is truly an exceptional year to do estate planning. The estate, gift, income and generation skipping transfer (GST) tax laws are the most favorable to taxpayers since the 1940s, or possibly ever, and are scheduled to become far less favorable in 2013. That gives...
Articles
Yes, Your Family Needs Asset Protection Planning
If you’re like most people, when you hear “estate planning” or “asset protection planning,” you think of someone like JR Ewing of the 1978 show Dallas, Bill Gates, or the Kennedys. WARNING: Common Misconception A very common misconception is only wealthy families and...