IEP

Showing 337–352 of 376 results

  • Estate Planning Pitfall – You plan to take a retirement distribution later this year

    August / September 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 302

    Abstract: Those who have retirement plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) when reaching age 70½. This is a problem for those whose assets have taken a tumble during this recession. In response, recent legislation has allowed a suspension of this requirement for 2009, thus giving account holders a little more time to rebuild their assets in these tax-deferred vehicles.

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  • Now’s the time to revisit your buy-sell agreement

    August / September 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 568

    Abstract: This is a good time for owners of closely held businesses to review their buy-sell agreements, particularly their valuation provisions. The economic crisis has been tough on everyone, and many business owners have seen the value of their shares decline. If a buy-sell agreement’s terms don’t reflect current conditions, the interest may be priced too high. And this can result in higher estate taxes and hurt the business or its surviving owners. This article describes the benefits of a buy-sell agreement, but also warns against relying too casually on standard valuation formulas.

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  • All in the happy blended family – Consider a QTIP trust or ILIT when estate planning for a blended family

    August / September 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 692

    Abstract: No one said estate planning is easy, and this is especially true with a blended family. The good news is that there are two trust types — a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust and an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) — that can provide for children from a previous marriage while also taking care of one’s current spouse and any children from the current marriage. There are pros and cons to each option.

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  • Special needs trusts: Not just for the needy

    August / September 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 920

    Abstract: If a child or other family member has a disabling condition requiring long-term care or that prevents them (or will prevent them) from being able to support themselves, a special needs trust (SNT) might be in order. Also known as a supplemental needs trust, an SNT can enhance a family member’s quality of life without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for government benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This article describes what the trust does and the considerations involved in setting one up; it also describes an option for beneficiaries who have too much money to be eligible for Medicaid or SSI. A sidebar describes what can be done if a trust has Crummey withdrawal powers that render a beneficiary ineligible for government assistance.

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  • Estate planning pitfall – You haven’t reviewed your estate plan since your divorce

    June / July 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 325

    Abstract: A divorce settlement typically takes care of issues such as jointly owned real estate, bank accounts and other property. But, if you’re divorced, is your spouse still a beneficiary of any life insurance policies, retirement accounts or irrevocable trusts? Is he or she still an agent for your health care issues, or have power of attorney for financial matters? These are reasons why you may need to review your estate plan.

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  • Bankruptcy and your estate plan – When assets are transferred is key

    June / July 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 728

    Abstract: Some estate planning tools, such as FLPs and FLLCs, provide some peace of mind that your assets will be there when your family needs them. But don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Asset protection is never absolute, particularly when bankruptcy is involved. To minimize your risk, it’s important to consider bankruptcy issues as you plan your estate. This article explains how you can set up asset protection trusts and other vehicles in a way that keeps them from being disqualified as fraudulent or preferential transfers.

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  • Don’t let your Crummey trust crumble

    June / July 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 959

    Abstract: The annual gift tax exclusion lets you remove a substantial amount of wealth from your taxable estate without tapping any of your $1 million lifetime gift tax or $3.5 million estate tax exemptions. There’s just one catch: The annual exclusion applies only to gifts of a present interest — that is, the recipient must have all immediate rights to the use, possession and enjoyment of the gifted property or of the income from such property. But gifts to a trust are, by definition, gifts of future interests. So how do you make annual exclusion gifts to a trust? One way is to provide trust beneficiaries with Crummey withdrawal rights. This article discusses such trusts, including the “5&5 rule,” while a sidebar offers dos and don’ts in regard to protecting a Crummey trust from IRS challenge.

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  • Defective by design – Weighing the ins and outs of income defective and estate defective trusts

    June / July 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1071

    Abstract: For decades estate planning has focused on avoiding or minimizing federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes. But now that the federal estate tax exemption has climbed to $3.5 million, fewer people are subject to federal estate tax, and income tax has taken on a more significant role. If you’re among those for whom estate tax has become less of a concern, it’s a good idea to review your situation and consider such estate planning strategies as income defective trusts and estate defective trusts.

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  • Estate planning pitfall – You haven’t planned for GST tax traps

    April / May 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 392

    Abstract: The federal generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax is a flat tax, in addition to the estate tax, imposed at the highest marginal estate tax rate. It applies to certain transfers to “skip persons,” which include grandchildren and other family members who are two or more generations below the transferor. The GST tax applies to direct gifts to skip persons as well as to certain trust distributions. This short article explains GST tax traps to avoid.

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  • A matter of principle – A principle trust can help achieve your estate planning goals

    April / May 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 665

    Abstract: For many, an important estate planning goal is to encourage their children or other heirs to lead responsible, productive lives. A tool for achieving this goal is a principle trust. This trust type guides the trustee’s decisions by setting forth the principles and values a person hopes to instill in his or her beneficiaries. This article details principle trusts.

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  • Know the basics of basis

    April / May 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1042

    Abstract: To transfer wealth in the most cost-effective manner, it’s important to understand how an asset’s income tax basis affects an estate plan. The basis a beneficiary receives in an asset depends on how a person transfers it, and this can have a large impact on the recipient’s income tax bill. This article explains what basis is and how it affects estate planning.

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  • Looking for a stimulus package for your estate plan?

    April / May 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1016

    Abstract: The current economic woes present an extraordinary estate planning opportunity: low interest rates combined with depressed stock and real estate prices make it an ideal time to transfer wealth to children and grandchildren. This article discusses the benefits of gifting and using grantor retained annuity trusts.

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  • Estate planning pitfall – You don’t have a succession plan for your estate plan

    February / March 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 370

    Abstract: Some of the most important estate planning decisions a person can make involve naming people to act on his or her behalf after death or, in the event of incapacity, during life. In addition, he or she should appoint one, and preferably two, successors for each of the representatives. If he or she doesn’t, and one of them dies or is otherwise unable to serve, a court will make the decisions (usually with some input from the family). This short article lists common estate planning documents that should include successor designations.

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  • Using “just-enough” funding for a credit shelter trust

    February / March 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 788

    Abstract: For many affluent couples, a credit shelter trust (also called a bypass trust) is a key component of their estate plans. This trust type allows spouses to leave as much of their assets as possible to each other while preserving each of their $3.5 million estate tax exemptions. In recent years, changes in the exemption amount and uncertainty over the future of the estate tax have made it more difficult to design a credit shelter trust. One potential solution to this problem is “just-enough” funding. This article discusses the benefits of using “just-enough” funding for a credit shelter trust.

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  • Watch out for gift-splitting tax traps

    February / March 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 871

    Abstract: This year, the inflation-adjusted annual gift tax exclusion is $13,000, up from $12,000 in 2008. Annual exclusion gifts can be a powerful estate planning tool, and they’re doubly effective if a married couple elects to “split” the gift. This article details gift-splitting tax traps to be aware of.

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  • Is your estate plan challenge-proof? Minimize postmortem disputes over your estate plan

    February / March 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 962

    Abstract: The goal of estate planning is to gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing a person’s loved ones will be provided for after his or her death. Few things can disturb that peace of mind as quickly as the fear that someone will contest the plan. This article examines several planning tips to minimize postmortem disputes.

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