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  • Strong governance enhances a family business’s value

    February / March 2013
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: Too often, family members view their business as a source of wealth without making sure that the company is managed by those best suited for the job. Good governance — carefully documented in writing — can help ensure a family business’s survival as it makes the transition from one generation to the next. This article shows how the business’s organizational documents can lay a solid foundation for good governance. It also explains the importance of having an independent board, along with legal agreements designed to keep the business in the family.

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  • Leaving your job? — Don’t forget your retirement savings

    November / December 2012
    Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: Leaving a job can be an exciting or an unsettling time, or both. But, amid the tumult, it’s important to consider one’s options for managing retirement savings that have accrued under the current employer’s traditional 401(k), 403(b) or 457(a) plan. These may be combined with employer contributions to a pension or profit-sharing plan. Whatever the case, this article discusses four options for handling such retirement savings. A sidebar looks at why shares of appreciated company stock within a retirement plan may require special treatment.

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  • Compensation matters — Determining your own pay

    November / December 2012
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: If sales are improving, it might be tempting for dealers to think now’s the time to give themselves a hefty and overdue pay increase. But they should keep in mind that the IRS is in the business of scrutinizing top executives’ salaries, bonuses and distributions or dividends. This article describes some factors to consider before setting new pay, pointing out that either overpaying or underpaying can invite IRS scrutiny, depending on whether the dealership is an S corporation or a C corporation. A sidebar notes that courts might impute reasonable (or replacement) compensation expense if a dealership is facing a lawsuit.

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  • GRATs: The long and short of it

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: The grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) can be a powerful estate planning tool. But the appropriate length of a GRAT’s term is at times a source of confusion among people planning their estates and a subject of debate among experts. There are important differences between short-term and long-term GRATs; to decide which is best, a person needs to factor in his or her age, health, and risk tolerance, along with the IRS’ Section 7520 rate of return, the nature and projected performance of the assets being contributed, and the availability of valuation discounts (which this article discusses in a sidebar).

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  • Real estate and leveraging: The risk of taking on too much

    March / April 2009
    Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: Leveraging other people’s money has always been a primary tool for real estate investors. Using leverage, savvy investors have been able to make more money, much more quickly than they could have otherwise. Although there are advantages to using leverage, there’s also increased risk of loss. This article delves into the topic, explaining how leverage works and exposing some of the red flags that could get you in trouble. A sidebar goes into the loan-to-value ratio and how it fits into the leverage equation.

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