| Is your children's future protected? |
| Friday, July 10, 2009 |
The celebrity deaths that have made headlines recently, while tragic and sad, serve as a reminder that we need to be prepared for the future. Human nature keeps us from questioning our own mortality, but death doesn't discriminate. It can strike the young, the elderly, the couch potatoes, the marathon runners, the wealthy or the struggling. Benjamin Franklin said that nothing is certain but death and taxes. While taxes are frequently discussed, most people prefer not to talk about dying. Whether you're a couple or a single parent, it's critical to have an up-to-date plan in place to protect your children in the event that something unforeseeable happens to you. Ordinary changes in your life can make a previously well-prepared estate plan improper for the future. The birth or death of a family member, marriage or divorce, a move from one state to another, a change in the composition or amount of your assets or income, business arrangements and tax law changes can all affect your plan. Click Full Article for specific details about how to be prepared and ensure that your children are protected in the future. |
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| The benefits of charitable giving with CRTs |
| Wednesday, May 13, 2009 |
| With ever-changing tax laws, estate planning has become even more complex. But there is one technique that is unchanged in its benefits: the charitable remainder trust (CRT). The key benefit of establishing a CRT is that it enables you to leave money to charity in the future, while continuing to draw income from the money now. In addition, it can offer several tax benefits, including a current income tax deduction and a way to liquidate assets that may have appreciated significantly without paying capital gains taxes. And all this is in addition to potential estate tax benefits. Click through for details.
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| The importance of financial planning in an uncertain economy |
| Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
| You may find yourself unsettled by the recent volatility in the public markets. It is difficult to make educated decisions on what you should do with your money when television commentators, investment periodicals, next-door neighbors and internet chat rooms all seem to have contradictory opinions. So, how can you be sure you are getting the right advice? What can you do to ensure you make the right choices? The answer is different solutions are appropriate for different individuals based on their specific goals, objectives and circumstances. A well thought out financial plan may be the key. A financial plan can help you negotiate the twists and turns of the market because your investment strategy is based on your own situation and goals - and not what the market is doing at any given time. Many people resist creating a financial plan until they find themselves in financial difficulty.
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| Do you understand the current estate tax laws? |
| Wednesday, May 21, 2008 |
| Estate planning remains a critical issue for many business owners and high net worth individuals. However, the existing law makes it difficult for most people to determine the best course of action. The starting point is the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), which revolutionized federal estate tax law. Click through for several key changes over the next few years that you should be aware of.
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| Where there's a will, there's a way to protect your loved ones |
| Wednesday, August 1, 2007 |
Few things are easier to put off than writing a will. It's so easy, in fact, that about half of U.S. adults don't have one. But this carelessness can cost your loved ones in the future. If you die without a will, a probate court will name an executor to distribute your assets. It could be a family member or a court administrator. The court will choose a guardian for your minor children. If two relatives fight over custody, any legal costs will come out of the money you intended to leave to your children. Obviously, most people want to decide the distribution of their estates themselves. That's what wills are for... especially today, with so many more non-traditional families. If you have been married more than once and have children by both marriages, if you have stepchildren or if you are unmarried but living with a companion, you especially need a will to help make sure your assets are dispersed as you wish. |
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