IEP
Showing 225–240 of 384 results
-
Estate Planning Pitfall – You own property outside your revocable trust
August / September 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 313
Abstract: The primary purpose of a revocable trust — also known as a “living trust” or “inter vivos trust” — is to avoid probate. But, for those who are not diligent about transferring assets to the trust, that purpose may be defeated. This article describes why it’s desirable to avoid probate and how a revocable trust and other strategies can achieve this end.
-
How will the GST tax affect your estate plan?
August / September 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 552
Abstract: A new grandparent often considers making a gift to the newest member of the family. However, before taking action, it’s important to understand how the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax may affect an estate plan. The GST tax is a flat tax on transfers that skip a generation. This article offers the definition of a “skip” person and particular situations in which the GST tax applies. It also discusses allocating the GST tax exemption in a way that maximizes the tax savings.
-
Protecting your real estate assets
August / September 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 639
Abstract: When preparing an estate plan, asset protection for real estate is particularly challenging, because it’s the only asset that can’t be moved. Gifting it is one option, but this leaves the property exposed to creditors. This article discusses three strategies for protecting a home against creditors: tenancy by the entirety, homestead exemptions, and a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT). It also looks at protecting business and investment real estate.
-
Unintended consequences – After divorce, review your estate plan to avoid surprises
August / September 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1036
Abstract: The recently divorced have likely had their fill of legal documents and proceedings, but it’s important that they review their estate plan as soon as possible to ensure they’re protected against unintended consequences. This article explains how to retain control of assets and look out for the best interests of one’s children, particularly in the event of remarriage. It shows how two strategies, in particular, can serve this purpose. A sidebar looks at how to help protect a child’s inheritance in the event of his or her own divorce.
-
Estate Planning Pitfall – You don’t have a buy-sell agreement for your business
June / July 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 295
Abstract: Without a well-designed, properly funded buy-sell agreement, an owner’s death can have a negative effect on the surviving owners. A buy-sell agreement requires (or permits) the company or the remaining owners to buy the interest of an owner who dies, becomes disabled, retires or otherwise leaves the business — thereby avoiding negative tax implications and possible squabbles among the survivors. This article notes that there are two basic types of a buy-sell agreement.
-
When is the optimal time to begin receiving Social Security?
June / July 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 469
Abstract: When to begin receiving Social Security benefits depends on each person’s individual circumstances. This article shows how to determine a breakeven point — the age at which the dollar value of more (but smaller) payments roughly equals the value of fewer (but larger) payments.
-
International estate planning 101
June / July 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 730
Abstract: Many traditional estate planning strategies are based on the assumption that everyone involved is a U.S. citizen. But for those couples with a noncitizen spouse, special rules apply that require additional planning. This article examines some of the tax issues for resident noncitizens, as well as for nonresident aliens. It also notes three options for making tax-free transfers to a noncitizen spouse.
-
Adapting to the times – Estate planning focus shifts to income taxes
June / July 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1057
Abstract: As the gift and estate tax exemption has significantly increased, and the estate tax rate decreased, individual income tax and capital gains tax rates have increased. This means that those who expect to have little or no estate tax liability should shift their focus to strategies for reducing income taxes. Fortunately, many estate planning strategies are available that can help reduce income taxes. This article discusses some of these strategies, with a sidebar looking at one in particular: the estate defective trust.
-
Estate Planning Pitfall – Your documents are hard to find
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 302
Abstract: No matter how much time is invested in designing an estate plan, one’s efforts will be for naught if his or her family can’t find essential documents in case of death or incapacitation. This article offers several tips for ensuring that critical documents — such as wills and trusts and financial and health care documents — are readily accessible when needed.
-
A family bank professionalizes intrafamily lending
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 394
Abstract: Too often, people lend money to family members with little planning and regard for potential unintended consequences. But a “family bank” can enhance the benefits of intrafamily loans, while minimizing the risks. A family bank is a family-owned, family-funded entity that “professionalizes” family lending activities, often with the help of outside advisors. This article explains how it works.
-
ABCs of HSAs – Learn how an HSA can benefit your estate plan
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 647
Abstract: One health care arrangement that has been soaring in popularity in recent years has been the pairing of a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The good news is that not only is an HSA a viable option to reduce health care costs, but it also can be beneficial to an estate plan because HSA funds grow on a tax-deferred basis. However, as this article explains, it’s important to carefully consider an HSA’s beneficiary designation.
-
Boosting your estate planning power – How to “supercharge” a credit shelter trust
April / May 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1182
Abstract: While high estate tax exemption amounts combined with portability of exemptions between spouses has reduced the effectiveness of credit shelter trusts in some cases, they continue to offer significant benefits, particularly for high-net-worth taxpayers. This article discusses how a credit shelter trust works and how a new kind of trust can “supercharge” it. But, as a sidebar explains, it’s necessary to avoid running afoul of the reciprocal trust doctrine in the process.
-
Estate Planning Pitfall – You’ve chosen your executor hastily
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 285
Abstract: Choosing the right executor — sometimes known as a “personal representative” — is critical to the smooth administration of an estate. Yet many people treat this decision as an afterthought. Given an executor’s many responsibilities and complex tasks, it pays to put some thought into the selection. This article lists some of those duties and discusses what to consider when choosing an executor.
-
Power of attorney abuse: What can you do about it?
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 608
Abstract: A financial power of attorney — sometimes called a “power of attorney for property” or a “general power of attorney” — can be a valuable planning tool. But it’s susceptible to abuse by scam artists, dishonest caretakers or greedy relatives. A broadly written power of attorney gives an agent unfettered access to the principal’s bank and brokerage accounts, real estate, and other assets. This article explains how to look out for the interests of loved ones and lists steps that can prevent abuse.
-
Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! 3 estate-planning-friendly strategies to pay for a grandchild’s college education
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 634
Abstract: It’s no secret that the cost of a college education continues to soar. But this article offers three options to help one’s grandchildren deal with this burden while saving gift and estate taxes: direct tuition payments to the educational institution, grantor and Crummey trusts, and a Section 2503(c) minor’s trust.
-
The BDIT – A trust with a twist
February / March 2014
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 995
Abstract: The beneficiary defective inheritor’s trust (BDIT) is a powerful estate planning tool that allows enjoyment of the benefits of a traditional trust without giving up control over the property. BDITs are particularly effective for assets that have significant appreciation potential or that are entitled to substantial valuation discounts. And, when designed as a “dynasty” trust, a BDIT can provide benefits for future generations without triggering transfer taxes or exposing the trust assets to creditors’ claims. This article offers an example of how a BDIT works. A sidebar discusses how to ensure that it can withstand an IRS challenge.