2010

Showing 177–192 of 657 results

  • Let values be your trustee’s guide – A principle trust may be a better option than an incentive trust

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 648

    Abstract: As they create their estate plan, many people want to pass their wealth on to their children, but also want the peace of mind that the kids will manage the inheritance with responsibility and care. An incentive trust is one option, but there are drawbacks — primarily rigid distribution rules. But, as this article explains, a principle trust can provide more flexibility. Rather than setting rules for distributions, it allows a person to set the principles and values they want the trustee to follow. However, it’s important to be at ease with the trustee having broader discretion.

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  • Avoiding probate: How to do it (and why)

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 694

    Abstract: Few estate planning subjects are as misunderstood as probate. But circumventing the probate process is usually a good idea. This article explains why, and discusses tools one can use to avoid (or minimize) probate, such as “pay on death” (POD) or “transfer on death” (TOD) designations. It also explains how, for larger, more complicated estates, a revocable trust (sometimes called a living trust) is generally the most effective tool for avoiding probate.

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  • Is your estate plan ready to change with the times? Qualified disclaimers add flexibility

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1012

    Abstract: No matter how carefully people may try to plan their estate, changing circumstances can quickly derail their efforts. Federal or state tax laws may be amended; net worth may go up (or down); marriage, divorce or children may complicate matters; or children’s needs may change. But it’s possible to build some flexibility into a plan by preparing for the use of qualified disclaimers. This article explains what a qualified disclaimer is and the many benefits it can provide. They do have some disadvantages, though, as explained in a sidebar.

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  • Temp agency caught in religious conundrum

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 886

    Abstract: Federal law prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs. But, when a Muslim job applicant insisted on always wearing her headgear as an article of her faith, a temporary employment agency didn’t refer her to a job at one client site on the grounds that the client banned all headwear for safety reasons. The agency offered her other opportunities, but she declined and filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC. This article explains why the appeals court decided in favor of the temp agency.

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  • Racism vs. reorganization – Sixth Circuit draws legal distinction in discrimination case

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 677

    Abstract: Many companies opt to reorganize to cut employment costs and operate more efficiently. But when one restructuring resulted in a female African-American hospital chef being replaced by a white male, she served up a lawsuit. This article looks at the evidence she offered, and the appeals court’s conclusion that there was a reasonable inference that she’d been fired for racially motivated, discriminatory reasons.

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  • Could a medication’s side effects trigger ADA protection?

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 552

    Abstract: Most cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) center on a bodily disability. But, in the event a worker’s medical condition doesn’t qualify as a disability, could harsh side effects from his or her medication still trigger ADA protection? That was the question faced by an appeals court. This article discusses the criteria that allow a medical treatment’s side effects to constitute a disability, and when an impairment should not be considered disabling.

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  • Chain reaction – Sexual harassment charges lead to age discrimination lawsuit

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 964

    Abstract: This article discusses a 69-year-old man, terminated because of sexual harassment claims, who claimed that his dismissal on those grounds was a pretext to hide age discrimination. He cited a remark about his age made by the COO, but the appeals court ruled that this constituted a “stray remark” that by itself was insufficient to defeat summary judgment. However, a sidebar looks at a different case, in which age-related comments were not considered stray remarks.

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  • Dealer Digest

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 442

    Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” highlights a Foresight Research survey showing the importance of the dealership in the consumer’s car-buying decision; a Wells Fargo/Gallup survey revealing dealerships’ continuing caution in regard to hiring; and closed dealerships that have converted their facilities to car-care centers.

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  • Start cross-training your accounting staff

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 580

    Abstract: The benefits of cross-training accounting personnel outweigh the investment in the time it takes to get these employees up to speed at handling one another’s responsibilities. This article shows the benefits of cross-training in regard to both productivity and employee morale, and lists the areas of accounting that can benefit most. A sidebar briefly discusses the importance of encouraging supervisors to informally reverse-train within their respective departments.

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  • Rescuing orphaned parts and service customers

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 800

    Abstract: This year offers a treasure chest of potential customers orphaned by the closing of the dealerships that serviced their cars and trucks. But dealers who want to gain market share in the parts and service arena will need to offer potential customers what they want, or a competitor likely will win them over. This article offers tips for rescuing — and keeping — this valuable business.

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  • The expense-savvy dealer – 10 cost- and tax-saving tactics to consider

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 743

    Abstract: Given the challenges of the recent recession, many dealerships may feel they’ve already looked into every possible corner to save money. But this article offers 10 often-overlooked cost-saving strategies, ranging from getting a property reappraisal to controlling health care costs to changing corporate structure.

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  • Construction Success Story – Contractor heeds warning signs of questionable owner

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 434

    Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” a general contractor was torn. He knew he could put together a stellar bid for a new condominium project, but the owner involved was highly dubious. This local property developer had been involved in some unflattering legal proceedings of late and its financial standing was uncertain to say the least. The contractor’s financial advisor, however, gave the contractor sound tips on how he could proceed while protecting his interests.

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  • Price adjustment clauses can help curtail unforeseen costs

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 449

    Abstract: Construction materials prices are erratic and largely unpredictable, but price adjustment clauses in a contract are one way to prevent, or at least mitigate, such sticky situations. These clauses identify specific materials at risk for price increases and set an effective date from which to measure price changes that trigger an adjustment to the contract amount for materials. This article explains how they can help both contractors and owners save time, money and risk.

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  • Technology upgrades – Could automated purchase orders speed your processes?

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 647

    Abstract: Constant materials purchases on construction projects can not only cause a lot of confusion, but also cost valuable hours tracking down invoices, double-checking figures, and making phone calls to managers and subcontractors. But automated purchase order software can speed buying processes and take much of the guesswork out of who’s buying what, when. This article examines how purchase order applications can use purchase orders to set up work orders, create schedules, and update and e-mail or fax weekly schedules, and use the original work orders to create invoices and send payment to subcontractors and suppliers.

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  • Cash: A contractor’s best friend – Cash flow forecasting can keep the relationship going strong

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 952

    Abstract: Many construction business owners may see cash flow forecasting as either a distraction from day-to-day activities or as a daunting, implausible undertaking. But getting a clearer picture of where a company’s dollars are going isn’t as difficult as one might think. This article shows how to estimate earnings with front-loaded billing schedules, and then, with data from estimated billing schedules and projected general operating expenses, to forecast cash flow in the near future. A sidebar lists five cash flow killers that can be prevented.

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  • Tax Tips – Avoiding estimated tax penalties – How to accelerate home office deductions – Wash sale isn’t always a dirty word

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Tax Impact

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 462

    Abstract: This issue’s “Tax Tips” briefly discusses a way to avoid estimated tax penalties; how to accelerate home office deductions through a cost segregation study; and how to avoid the wash sale rule, which prohibits investors from deducting a loss on the sale of a security if they acquire substantially the same security within 30 days before or after the sale.

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