IEP
Showing 81–96 of 384 results
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t created a road map for your estate plan
August / September 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 297
Abstract: Creating documents for an estate plan, such as a will, trusts and a power of attorney, can be time consuming. While these documents are essential for the plan, it’s beneficial for surviving family members to have a “road map” to navigate the aftermath. This brief article explains what to include in the road map document.
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Breathe new life into a “broken” trust by decanting it
August / September 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 587
Abstract: Building flexibility into one’s estate plan using various strategies is generally advised. The reason is that life circumstances change over time, specifically changing tax laws and family circumstances. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. One such strategy to consider is decanting a trust. This article explains what it means to “decant” a trust.
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The CARES Act creates charitable tax incentives
August / September 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 643
Abstract: Many individuals incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans, providing assistance to their favorite charities while preserving sufficient assets for their heirs. Typically, the charitable donations are structured to maximize the tax benefits on the books. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act increases those tax incentives. This article details how taxpayers can realize tax savings from charitable donations under the CARES Act.
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The CARES Act – Recent tax law changes may affect your estate plan
August / September 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 953
Abstract: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is designed to provide tax relief to individuals and businesses struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this law may also have a long-reaching impact on one’s estate plan. This article explains several provisions of the CARES Act that may affect participants in qualified retirement plans. A brief sidebar details the options for those who take early required minimum distributions.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – Your charitable gifts are unrestricted
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 258
Abstract: Charitably inclined individuals generally know that there are no absolute guarantees that the funds they donate will be used to further a charity’s mission. Fortunately, however, there are steps to take to preserve their charitable legacies. This brief article explains the benefits of placing restrictions on gifts at the time of the donation.
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HSAs – Understanding the health savings and estate planning benefits
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 696
Abstract: In addition to serving as a viable option to reduce health care costs, a Health Savings Account (HSA) can positively affect an estate plan because its funds grow on a tax-deferred basis. This article details how an HSA works and explains its cost savings and estate planning benefits.
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Take the proper steps to insulate your estate from creditors
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 736
Abstract: For years, many individuals may have viewed estate taxes as the main threat to their family fortunes, especially if they own a successful business or valuable real estate. But with the federal gift and tax exemption set at $11.58 million for 2020, estate taxes are perhaps no longer a concern. Today individuals may be more focused on protecting their estates from creditors and lawsuits. This article details several ways to accomplish this objective in accordance with prevailing state laws.
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How does the SECURE Act affect estate planning?
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is the biggest retirement planning law in decades. However, when all is said and done, the new law may have just as significant an impact on estate planning. This article explains the SECURE Act’s key provisions and explores estate planning strategies to implement. A sidebar explains that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) waives required minimum distribution rules through the end of the year.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You fail to mention a close relative in your will
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 251
Abstract: Typically, a person arranges to leave most of his or her assets to various family members, including a spouse and children. These dispositions are spelled out in a will. But what happens when one fails to mention a close relative in a will or wants to disinherit a loved one? This brief article explores potential outcomes of not clearly communicating your wishes in your will.
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Letter of instructions – Make your thoughts crystal clear to your family
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: Generally, every estate plan requires a will, but this main attraction may be complemented by other documents, like a letter of instructions. The letter, unlike a valid will, isn’t legally binding, but can be valuable to surviving family members. This article details what a letter of instruction should cover.
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To file or not to file? A gift tax return doesn’t always have to be filed
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 807
Abstract: Now that fewer people are subject to federal gift taxes, because of a generous $11.58 million lifetime gift tax exemption for 2020, a question many are asking is: “Do I need to file a gift tax return?” The short answer is “no” if one’s wealth is well within the exemption amount. This article examines the scenarios where it’s necessary (and possibly advantageous) to file Form 709 — “United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return.”
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Beware of the generation-skipping transfer tax
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 806
Abstract: Thanks to recent tax law changes, most families can avoid liability for federal estate and gift taxes. However, there’s a lesser-known tax whammy that can hit wealthy individuals without warning: the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. As its name implies, the GST tax generally applies to transfers that “skip” a generation. This article details the GST tax. A sidebar explains GST tax strategies.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You’re hiding assets without telling anyone
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 297
Abstract: People sometimes keep assets hidden without letting their family know about their existence or location. Similarly, they may have life insurance policies no one knows about. This brief article explains, through a fictional example, why full disclosure to loved ones is recommended.
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Digital assets and your estate plan – This asset type requires special planning
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 600
Abstract: The digital revolution has touched virtually every aspect of our lives. The result is that one likely has at least a handful of “digital assets.” These assets may include personal assets, such as online bank and brokerage accounts, and business assets, such as a company’s website, domain name, client databases and electronic invoices. This article explains that, as with all assets, a person needs to account for them in their estate plan.
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What are the benefits of a durable power of attorney?
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 676
Abstract: No one likes to think about being incapacitated, but the threat is real. This raises some troubling thoughts about how one’s personal and financial affairs will be handled in the event they’re incapacitated. This article notes that a common solution to this problem is to create a power of attorney, and explains why the optimal protection is afforded by a durable power of attorney.
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Executors and trustees – The name game
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 904
Abstract: It’s important to name executors and trustees who can provide the necessary expertise in handling assets and duties. This article details the duties of an executor and a trustee. A sidebar explains the need to name successors in the event one’s first choice can’t meet obligations.