Insight on Estate Planning
Showing 17–32 of 384 results
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t coordinated beneficiary designations with your will
April / May 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 284
Abstract: Often an individual will draft a will that references retirement plan accounts and life insurance policies. But what happens when the designated beneficiaries listed in the will don’t match those listed in the paperwork on file with the applicable financial institutions? This brief article explains that the beneficiary designations in the financial documents supersede those listed in the will.
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Does your estate plan account for generation-skipping transfer tax?
April / May 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 618
Abstract: If an estate plan calls for making gifts to grandchildren or other loved ones more than one generation below, it must address not only gift and estate tax, but also generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. This article explains how the GST tax exemption works and lists three scenarios that can trigger GST tax liability.
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Glossary of estate planning terms
April / May 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 697
Abstract: Estate planning has a language of its own. While some may be familiar with common terms such as a will, a trust or an executor, they may not be as certain about others. This article provides a glossary of terms a person is likely to come across in his or her estate planning documents.
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SECURE 2.0 may affect your retirement and estate plans
April / May 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 938
Abstract: SECURE 2.0 includes sweeping changes for retirement plans, including changes for qualified plans and IRAs. These changes can have significant estate planning implications. This article highlights many of the law’s provisions and discusses how they may affect one’s estate plan.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t made funeral arrangements
February / March 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 210
Abstract: No one likes to contemplate his or her own death but making funeral arrangements is a necessary evil of estate planning. Family members usually are distressed in the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s death. Thus, they may be hard-pressed to follow through with funeral arrangements that have been stipulated in a will or other document. This brief article suggests ways to ease the burden on one’s family by making clear funeral arrangements.
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Comparing inter vivos and testamentary trusts
February / March 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 584
Abstract: Creating and adhering to an estate plan is no simple task. Generally, the end goal of estate planning is to divide up and transfer assets to loved ones at a minimum or zero tax cost. Of course, a will is a good starting point, but it may be supplemented by various other estate planning techniques, including trusts. Trusts are essentially used to accommodate asset transfers beyond dispositions in a will. This article examines the two main trust types: the inter vivos trust and the testamentary trust.
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Has your buy-sell agreement recently been updated?
February / March 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 868
Abstract: A buy-sell agreement should be a critical part of an individual’s estate plan if he or she has an interest in a business that’s closely held or family owned. The agreement provides for the disposition of each owner’s interest after a “triggering event,” such as death, disability, divorce, termination of employment or withdrawal from the business. This article explains how a properly drafted buy-sell agreement can help address a variety of issues business owners and their families may face when a triggering event occurs.
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Gifting made easy – Max out your annual gift tax exclusion amount
February / March 2023
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 793
Abstract: By using the annual gift tax exclusion judiciously, individuals can transfer assets to loved ones and reduce the size of their taxable estates without eroding their federal gift and estate tax exemption. This article details the benefits of making annual exclusion gifts, especially if one wants to transfer significant wealth to family members. A sidebar explains a recent U.S. Tax Court ruling regarding deathbed gifts.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – Your estate is tied too closely to specific gifts
Year End 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 350
Abstract: A person’s will is designed to provide for the disposition of his or her possessions and tie up any loose ends in the estate. To accomplish these goals, one may include specific bequests to named beneficiaries. However, doing so may result in unintended outcomes. This brief article illustrates this point using two fictional scenarios.
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A spouse’s inheritance rights vary state by state
Year End 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 669
Abstract: If a person is preparing to get remarried, estate planning likely isn’t top of mind. However, depending on the state he or she lives in, his or her spouse has property rights that apply regardless of the terms of the estate plan. This article takes a closer look at spousal rights and details strategies available to limit them.
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Who should you name as your children’s guardian?
Year End 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 619
Abstract: Parents of young children likely have put a lot of thought into raising their kids, ranging from schooling to activities to religious upbringing. But what happens if a parent (or both) should unexpectedly die? This article explains why it’s so important to name a guardian in one’s estate plan.
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A living trust and a pour-over will – Two estate planning documents working in tandem
Year End 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 878
Abstract: Comprehensive estate planning often goes much further than simply having a will. For instance, one can provide for transfers of assets to a living trust (also known as a revocable trust) to supplement the will. For many, the best part of this strategy is that the trust assets don’t have to pass through probate. An additional step can be taken by creating a pour-over will. This article explains how a living trust and a pour-over will work together. A sidebar explains the differences between a revocable and irrevocable trust.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You sell real estate for $1
October / November 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 276
Abstract: If a family member offers to sell a piece of property to another member of the family for $1, it may not end up being the great deal it initially seems. This brief article uses an example to explain the potential tax consequences that can result from selling property for $1.
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Is a split annuity strategy right for you?
October / November 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 665
Abstract: The average length of retirement is 18 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And with today’s medical technology, it could last significantly longer. Thus, a major challenge is balancing the need to maintain one’s standard of living while preserving as much wealth as possible for the family to enjoy after death. This article details how a split annuity may be one strategy to consider. It creates a current income stream while preserving wealth for the future.
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Qualified charitable distributions – Use QCDs to transfer IRA funds to charity
October / November 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 688
Abstract: An individual after retiring, or if retiring soon, may be more inclined to make donations to charity. However, he or she may receive little or no tax benefit from the contribution, depending on whether the person itemizes deductions. This article explains how transferring qualified charitable distributions directly from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization can help achieve charitable goals.
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Now’s the time to review your estate plan
October / November 2022
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 847
Abstract: That estate plan an individual created years ago should be dusted off and carefully reviewed. One may find it to be out of date or in need of minor tweaking. In any event, it’s likely that some changes are required. The end of the year is an optimal time to act. Get a fresh start on the upcoming year by taking time now to review and revise the estate plan as needed. This article provides several questions to consider when reviewing an estate plan. A sidebar details the benefits of creating a trust.