EST
Showing 177–192 of 384 results
-
Estate Planning Red Flag – You haven’t properly funded your revocable trust
July / August 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 307
Abstract: If an estate plan includes a revocable trust — also known as a “living” trust — it’s critical to ensure that the trust is properly funded. Revocable trusts offer significant benefits, including asset management and probate avoidance. But these benefits aren’t available if the trust isn’t funded. This brief article explains how to fund a revocable trust.
-
A CLT’s effectiveness depends on Sec. 7520 rate
July / August 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 702
Abstract: A CLT can help achieve philanthropic and estate planning goals. This trust type is most effective in a low-interest-rate environment. And while rates have risen slightly as of late, they remain low. Nevertheless, this article concludes that it’s better to act soon before interest rates rise more significantly.
-
Is a self-directed IRA right for you?
July / August 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 630
Abstract: Traditional and Roth IRAs can be powerful estate planning tools. With a “self-directed” IRA, a person may be able to amp up the benefits of these tools by enabling them to hold nontraditional investments that offer potentially greater returns. However, self-directed IRAs present pitfalls that can lead to unfavorable tax consequences. This article explains the ins and outs of a self-directed IRA.
-
Covering your basis – Tax basis planning offers significant benefits
July / August 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 905
Abstract: If gift and estate taxes aren’t a concern for many affluent families, it pays for them to focus planning efforts on income taxes — in particular, basis planning. This article details the benefits of a stepped-up basis. A sidebar explains how a recent IRS rule may affect basis reporting.
-
Estate Planning Red Flag – You’re setting up trusts in your home state
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 299
Abstract: While it’s natural to set up trusts in the state where one lives, this may result in losing out on significant benefits available in more “trust-friendly” states. This brief article explores the benefits of moving a trust to another state.
-
Don’t overlook tax apportionment when planning your estate
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 614
Abstract: If one expects his or her estate to have a significant estate tax liability at death, he or she should pay attention to the tax apportionment clause in a will or revocable trust. An apportionment clause specifies how the estate tax burden will be allocated among beneficiaries. Omission of this clause, or failure to word it carefully, may result in unintended consequences. This article explains how an apportionment clause works and the pitfalls if it’s omitted.
-
Postmortem planning – Add decanting provisions to a trust to increase trustee flexibility
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 703
Abstract: An estate plan shouldn’t be a static document — meaning it should continue to be revised and updated as needed in light of major life changes or estate tax law changes up until death. Postmortem, trustees can have similar power to adapt a trust to changing circumstances. This technique is called “decanting” the trust. This article details the ins and outs of decanting a trust.
-
Charitable IRA rollover offers significant benefits
May / June 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 864
Abstract: At the end of last year, Congress reinstated — and made permanent — qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, also known as charitable IRA rollovers. For those age 70½ or older and who plan to make charitable donations this year, a charitable rollover can provide significant tax benefits. This article details the benefits of a rollover and its requirements. A sidebar explains how the rollover may satisfy one’s required minimum distributions for the year.
-
Estate Planning Red Flag – You’ve named a family member as executor
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 312
Abstract: The executor’s role is critical to the administration of an estate and the overall achievement of the estate planning objectives. Naming a trusted family member as executor may be a natural choice, but it may not be the best. This brief article explains why naming a trusted advisor and a loved one as co-executors may be a better choice.
-
The donor advised fund: A powerful vehicle for charitable giving
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 683
Abstract: Philanthropic individuals can choose between using a donor advised fund (DAF) or a private foundation. This article explains how a DAF — typically sponsored and managed by a community foundation or commercial investment company — offers many of the benefits of a private foundation at a fraction of the cost.
-
Can a 529 plan benefit your estate plan?
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 636
Abstract: One of the many pressures on parents is ensuring that there will be enough funds to put their children through college. And, along the same lines, they also want the peace of mind that their wealth will be preserved for their children and grandchildren after death. One option that can cover both dilemmas is a 529 plan. This article details how a 529 plan can provide college savings and significant estate planning benefits.
-
Taking stock of your estate plan – Why business owners should consider an ESOP
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 897
Abstract: Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) offer closely held business owners an exit strategy and a tax-efficient technique for sharing equity with employees. An ESOP can also be a powerful estate and retirement planning tool. This article explains how ESOPs can help business owners address several planning challenges, including lack of liquidity and the need to provide for children outside the business. A sidebar looks at the pros and cons of S corporation ESOPs.
-
Estate Planning Red Flag – You’re recording your will signing on video
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 257
Abstract: Some people make video recordings of their will signings in an effort to create evidence that they possess the requisite testamentary capacity. For some, this strategy may help stave off a will contest. But this brief article explains why, in most cases, the risk that the recording will provide ammunition to someone who wishes to challenge the will outweighs the potential benefits.
-
Life after divorce – A major life change necessitates an estate plan review
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 750
Abstract: An estate plan isn’t meant to be a static document. To ensure one’s wishes are carried out as he or she intended after death, it’s critical to revisit the plan after a major life change. A divorce is one such change that requires one to review (and revise, if necessary) his or her plan. This article details how to take control of assets and what to consider before remarrying.
-
Use a Crummey trust to preserve gift tax exclusion
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 603
Abstract: The annual exclusion — which allows one to make tax-free gifts of up to $14,000 per year to an unlimited number of people — remains an important estate planning tool. Affluent people whose estates exceed the $5.45 million estate tax exemption amount continue to seek strategies, such as the annual exclusion, for minimizing gift and estate taxes. And even those with more modest estates may want to take advantage of the annual exclusion to shelter their assets against potential future changes in their wealth and federal estate tax laws. For these folks, a Crummey trust is an option. This article examines the ins and outs of using a Crummey trust.
-
Estate planning for residential real estate
January / February 2016
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 938
Abstract: For many individuals, one or more residences compose a large portion of their wealth. Thus, it’s important to know how to address residential real estate in one’s estate plan. This article reviews forms of ownership and details two strategies to transfer real estate interests in a tax-efficient manner. A sidebar explains the mortality risk inherent in a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT).