Insight on Estate Planning
Showing 369–384 of 384 results
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You’ve designated a minor or legally incompetent person as beneficiary of your life insurance policy
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 347
Abstract: For many people, a life insurance policy is their most valuable asset. But all too often, they neglect to give the beneficiary designation the attention it deserves. One of the most common mistakes is designating a minor or legally incompetent person as beneficiary. Doing so actually defeats one of the fundamental purposes of estate planning: to have a say in how your wealth is distributed after you die. This short article explores the consequences of designating a minor or legally incompetent person as a life insurance beneficiary and suggests an alternative strategy.
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Could you be taxed in multiple states? How domicile affects your estate plan
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 593
Abstract: Where a person makes his or her home (his or her domicile) is primarily a lifestyle choice. But it can also have a financial impact, especially if the person divides his or her time among two or more states. Without careful planning, the person may find him- or herself in an unfortunate situation of having multiple states competing for his or her tax dollars. This article explains the estate tax implications of domicile. (Updated: 11/30/12)
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Income in respect of a decedent – Why some gift horses deserve a hard look
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 594
Abstract: The adage “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” is often applied to inheritances. But for certain types of assets, a thorough inspection may reveal an unexpected tax bite. Most inherited property is tax free to the recipient, but there’s an exception for property that’s considered income in respect of a decedent (IRD). IRD can be a significant estate planning issue, especially if a person has large balances in an IRA or other retirement account — or inherits such assets. This article details what IRD is and how to plan for it. (Updated: 4/27/12)
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4 common misconceptions about prenuptial agreements
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 960
Abstract: When it comes to marriage, money can be an emotionally charged subject. But few topics evoke a more passionate response than the prenuptial agreement. But prenups can be an effective way for many couples to achieve their financial and estate planning goals. This article discusses four misconceptions about prenups and briefly explains a postnuptial agreement.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – Your will or trust doesn’t name contingent beneficiaries
June / July 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 204
Abstract: Estate planning is difficult because it forces a person to plan for the possibility that his or her children or other family members might die before him or her. Failure to name contingent beneficiaries can derail an estate plan if a primary beneficiary isn’t there to receive the estate. This short article discusses contingent beneficiaries.
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Powers of appointment – Why decide today when you can put it off until tomorrow?
June / July 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 839
Abstract: One potential problem with wills, trusts and other traditional estate planning tools is that they force a person to make decisions about how his or her wealth will be distributed years or decades in advance. A power of appointment may solve that problem. It’s a document that authorizes another person, such as a family member or trusted advisor, to designate who will receive certain property. This article examines two types of powers: general and limited.
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Leaving a lasting legacy with a dynasty trust
June / July 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 894
Abstract: The idea of leaving a legacy that lasts for hundreds of years — or even perpetually — has a certain romantic appeal. A dynasty trust can preserve substantial amounts of wealth — and shelter it from federal gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes — for generations to come. This article details how a dynasty trust works.
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Be flexible! Estate planning for an uncertain future
June / July 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1079
Abstract: Given the estate tax’s uncertain future, it’s more important than ever for people to build flexibility into their estate plans. During the last several years, exemption amounts have increased while tax rates have dropped. Under current law, the estate tax will disappear in 2010, only to reappear in 2011, when the exemptions and rates are scheduled to spring back to their 2001 levels. But lawmakers are expected to change the estate tax regime before 2010. This article explains strategies to use to build flexibility into an estate plan to make the most of any tax changes Congress devises.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You and your spouse own most of your property as joint tenants
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 349
Abstract: There’s a common misconception that holding property as joint tenants with rights of survivorship is an effective estate planning technique. But if a person’s wealth exceeds the $2 million estate tax exemption and that person and his or her spouse own most of their property as joint tenants, the person is losing out on valuable estate planning opportunities. This short article discusses a better strategy: owning property as tenants in common.
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Estate planning in the 21st century
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 472
Abstract: The digital revolution has changed virtually every aspect of life, and estate planning is no exception. Today, many people do business, communicate and manage their finances online. The result is a wealth of “digital assets,” which may take the form of e-mails, online accounts or other information stored on the Web or remote servers. Unfortunately, in many cases, when the owners of these assets die, the user names, passwords, security codes and other protections die with them. This article explains why it’s important to leave loved ones with instructions on how to access digital accounts.
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Many happy returns – Total return unitrusts align beneficiaries’ interests
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1106
Abstract: At times, traditional trusts can create conflicts among beneficiaries, making it more difficult for a person’s estate plan to achieve its objectives and placing trustees in a difficult position. A total return unitrust (TRU) may offer a solution. This article details how a TRU works and discusses how to use a TRU for postmortem planning.
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Should you donate real estate to charity?
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1010
Abstract: The real estate “bubble” may have burst, but many landowners continue to hold property that has appreciated significantly in value. One option for tax efficiently divesting such real estate is to donate it to charity. But there are several tax traps for the unwary. This article explains the obstacles and how to sidestep them.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You didn’t name a guardian for your minor children
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 340
Abstract: No estate planning decision is more important than choosing a guardian to care for minor children in the event that something happens to their parents. A court will name the guardian if the parents don’t. This short article discusses five tips to consider when selecting the right person to be the guardian of minor children.
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A charitable gift annuity can benefit you and a charity
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 568
Abstract: There are several estate planning strategies to use to satisfy philanthropic goals while preserving some tax and financial benefits for the individual. One such strategy involves using a charitable gift annuity (CGA). This article examines how a CGA can benefit individuals and charities. (Updated: 4/27/12)
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Don’t let S corporation stock throw you a curve
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 899
Abstract: The S corporation remains one of the most popular entity choices for closely held businesses. From an estate planning perspective, however, S corporation stock can complicate matters. This article details the pros and cons of four types of trusts that can hold S corporation stock.
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Joint home purchase – A simple strategy offers big estate tax savings
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 998
Abstract: A home is likely a person’s most valuable asset. And one of the most effective strategies for passing the home to his or her children or other loved ones while minimizing gift or estate taxes also is one of the simplest: the joint purchase. This article explains how a joint purchase strategy works.