Succession Planning Articles
Guardianship: Planning For Your Children’s Best Interests
Posted by Robert Ingrasci on June 11, 2020
If you haven't already named a guardian for your minor children, the COVID-19 pandemic may spur you to act. Should you and your spouse die or become incapacitated, you don't want to leave the decision up to a court. And what if you're seeking to become the guardian of a child?
Helping Elderly Parents with Estate Planning
Posted by D’Marie Murray on May 11, 2020
If you're caring for elderly parents, you probably don't have a lot of extra time to think about estate planning, but if your parents have neglected to make a will and prepare other important legal documents that help ensure their wishes are carried out, make it a priority.
Federal Tax Relief to Alleviate COVID-19 Hardships
Posted by Michē Needham on March 23, 2020
The federal government has been working on various relief measures to help individuals and small businesses cope with the situation, including tax relief provisions. Here are the tax changes that have been finalized so far.
Decanting May Allow Trustees to Fix a Damaged Trust
Posted by Robert Ingrasci on February 28, 2020
Through a process known as decanting, many irrevocable trusts that have become ineffective or obsolete due to changing tax laws or family circumstances may be “fixed.” However, a trust's terms and state laws determine the degree to which a trustee can alter the original trust document.
Stretch IRAs Lose Potency under the SECURE Act
Posted by Cheryl A. Jankowski on January 24, 2020
The SECURE Act contains a number of favorable provisions that will help Americans save more for retirement. However, the new law also contains an unfavorable provision that will affect nonspouse IRA beneficiaries who inherit accounts with substantial balances.
Three Reasons to Use Valuation Pros in Estate Planning
Posted by Cheryl A. Jankowski on December 17, 2019
Some business owners design their estate plans without consulting a business valuation professional, but do-it-yourself valuations can be risky.
Preserve Your Happy Family With a Total Return Unitrust
Posted by D’Marie Murray on December 03, 2019
When the interests of trust beneficiaries come into conflict, everyone in the family can suffer. If your trust includes both “lifetime” and “remainder” beneficiaries, it's possible to align the interests of both groups with a total return unitrust.
The Potential Impact of New Appraisal Regs On Charitable Giving
Posted by Cheryl A. Jankowski on November 07, 2019
Do charitable gifts play an important role in your estate plan? If you make or plan to make substantial noncash gifts to charity, you should be aware of how new requirements for appraisals can affect those donations.
It’s Not an Estate Plan Without a Will
Posted by Robert Ingrasci on October 29, 2019
When you hear “estate planning,” you probably think of trusts and other vehicles for minimizing taxes and passing on more wealth to your heirs. However, a will remains the cornerstone of any estate plan.
Dynasty Trusts Are More Valuable than Ever
Posted by Cheryl A. Jankowski on June 28, 2019
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has brought great changes to estate planning. In doing so, it bolstered the potential value of dynasty trusts. This article explains why these trusts are well worth considering for tax purposes. We'll also look at valid nontax reasons for establishing one.