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Showing 17–32 of 384 results
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You haven’t planned for the death of beneficiaries
March / April 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 306
Abstract: When one plans for the disposition of his or her estate, it’s critical to understand what happens if a child or other beneficiary predeceases the person. There’s no one right way to deal with this contingency, but to avoid unintended results the estate plan should spell out, with precise language, how the estate should be divided among loved ones. This brief article details a few scenarios that can play out if vague language is used in an estate plan.
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Estate planning and asset protection planning go hand in hand
March / April 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 607
Abstract: Business owners understand the importance of protecting the company’s wealth from the claims of creditors and lawsuits. Doing so ensures that more wealth will be available to pass to family members. This article explains that the way a business is structured can affect its level of asset protection. It also discusses strategies to build asset barriers.
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Influencing your heirs – 4 tips for an effective incentive trust
March / April 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 675
Abstract: Estate planning isn’t just about sharing wealth with the younger generation. For many people, it’s equally important to share one’s values and to encourage their children or other heirs to lead responsible, productive and fulfilling lives. One tool for achieving this goal is an incentive trust, which conditions distributions on certain behaviors or achievements that you wish to inspire. This article explores four strategies that can increase the effectiveness of an incentive trust.
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Funding long-term care expenses: What are your options?
March / April 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 936
Abstract: Few things can derail an estate plan as quickly as unanticipated long-term care (LTC) expenses. Most people will need some form of LTC (such as a nursing home or assisted living facility stay) at some point in their lives. And the cost of this care is steep. This article explores a few options to fund LTC expenses so that a person won’t deplete his or her nest egg. A sidebar details tax benefits available to offset LTC expenses.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You’re taking periodic payments from an IRA or 401(k) plan
January / February 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 314
Abstract: A tax-advantaged savings plan, such as an IRA or 401(k) plan, is designed to help fund one’s retirement. But to the extent that a person doesn’t need the funds during his or her golden years, they can be a valuable supplement to an estate plan. This brief article explains the negative effects of taking early payments from an IRA or 401(k).
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Helping a disabled loved one with an ABLE account
January / February 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 606
Abstract: Estate planning can be tricky for a family that includes a disabled loved one because the family doesn’t want to lose eligibility for means-tested government benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A Section 529A account — better known as an ABLE account — generally won’t affect the beneficiary’s eligibility for Medicaid and SSI, which limits a recipient’s “countable assets” to $2,000 with a few exceptions. This article details an ABLE account and explains how it’s funded.
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Where should you keep your estate planning documents?
January / February 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 711
Abstract: There are many who’ve put a great deal of time, effort and expense into designing and implementing an estate plan that meets their goals. But unless their loved ones know that these documents exist — and how to find and access them — these well-laid plans can be derailed. This article explores how to best handle estate planning documents.
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Pay attention to securities laws when planning your estate
January / February 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 894
Abstract: If one’s assets include unregistered securities, such as restricted stock or interests in hedge funds or private equity funds, it’s critical to consider the securities law implications of various estate planning strategies. This article explains the four main laws under the federal securities regulation regime and details the issues of transferring unregistered securities, either as outright gifts or to trusts or other estate planning vehicles. A sidebar explains the short-swing profit rule and how it may affect certain transfers for estate planning purposes.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You own property jointly with a child or other family member
November / December 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 339
Abstract: There’s a common misconception that owning assets jointly with a child or other heir is an effective estate planning shortcut. While this strategy has a certain appeal, it can invite a variety of unwelcome consequences that may quickly outweigh any potential benefits. This brief article details the advantages and disadvantages of owning property jointly with a child.
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Should you use retirement accounts to fund gifts?
November / December 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 577
Abstract: Generally, a significant portion of a person’s wealth can be found in IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. Traditionally, these accounts have been viewed as off limits when it comes to funding lifetime gifts, given the negative income tax implications. But things are a little different now. Why? Because the federal gift and estate tax exemption is scheduled to be cut roughly in half at the end of 2025. Faced with the prospect of a higher estate tax bill, many affluent people are establishing irrevocable trusts or implementing other gifting strategies to lock in the higher exemption amount before it disappears. This article explains why, in some cases, it may make sense to use retirement accounts to fund these gifts, provided the estate tax benefits would outweigh the income tax costs.
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Shield life insurance proceeds from estate tax with an ILIT
November / December 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 638
Abstract: Life insurance can provide peace of mind, but it’s important to not own the policy at death. The policy’s proceeds will be included in the taxable estate and may be subject to estate tax. To avoid this result, a common estate planning strategy is to draft an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) to hold the policy. This article explores the benefits of including an ILIT in an estate plan.
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Rising rates spark interest in charitable remainder trusts
November / December 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 941
Abstract: For those who wish to leave a charitable legacy while generating income during their lifetime, a charitable remainder trust (CRT) may be a viable solution. In addition to an income stream, CRTs offer an up-front charitable income tax deduction, as well as a vehicle for disposing of appreciated assets without immediate taxation on the gain. This article details how CRTs work and explains why they’re particularly effective in today’s high interest rate environment. A sidebar looks at a common tax scam associated with CRTs.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – Your spouse’s estate didn’t make a portability election
September / October 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 356
Abstract: Portability helps minimize federal gift and estate taxes by allowing a surviving spouse to use a deceased spouse’s unused gift and estate tax exemption amount. But, as this brief article explains, portability isn’t automatically available; it requires the deceased spouse’s executor to make a portability election on a timely filed estate tax return.
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Addressing an art collection in an estate plan can be tricky
September / October 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 687
Abstract: Some assets pose more of a challenge than others when it comes to valuing and accounting for them in an estate plan. Take, for instance, an art collection. Paintings, sculptures or other pieces of art likely represent a significant portion of their estates. This article details options to address an art collection in an estate plan.
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Pros and cons of custodial accounts for minors
September / October 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 611
Abstract: Setting up an investment account for a minor child can be a tax-efficient way of saving for college or other expenses. And one of the simplest ways to invest on the child’s behalf is to open a custodial account under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA). This article discusses the pluses and minuses of custodial accounts for minors.
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Estate planning for the happily married – Hedge your bets with a SLAT
September / October 2022
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 895
Abstract: One of the biggest challenges of estate planning is dealing with uncertainty. For example, there’s uncertainty over whether the gift and estate tax exemption will be halved in 2026, not to mention growing economic uncertainty. What if an individual gives away substantial amounts of wealth now, but if financial circumstances change for the worse in the future he or she will need additional funds? One solution is using a spousal limited access trust, sometimes referred to as a spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT). This article explains how a SLAT works. A brief sidebar explains the ins and outs of having spouses each create their own SLAT.