by Christine | May 3, 2013 | Estate Planning, Family Business, Small Business |
Known as employee stock-ownership plans, or ESOPs, the move is being embraced by smaller firms, especially those struggling to find buyers during the weak economy. Businesses are formed in many ways, and we have come to know those varying abbreviations (S-Corp,...
by Christine | May 2, 2013 | College Planning, Estate Planning |
Total assets in all 86 U.S. education savings plans – named 529 plans after a section in the Internal Revenue Code – rose 25 percent to $166 billion in 2012, according to Morningstar. Making plans for the next generation often involve planning for their...
by Christine | May 1, 2013 | Estate Planning, Family, Heirs, Inheritance |
For many parents, it is easier to talk to their children about sex than money. And there are few touchier subjects for wealthy families than the topic of inheritance. Don’t we all dread certain “talks” we’re supposed to have with our children? But even though we’d...
by Christine | Apr 30, 2013 | Estate Planning |
The fact that my life had instantly transitioned into a foreign, new reality was finally processed for me when my dad’s business partner showed me around their recycling business—a venture that I knew absolutely nothing about. Managing your own personal finances can...
by Christine | Apr 29, 2013 | Credit Shelter Trust, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Portability, Trusts |
Even if your state has no estate or inheritance tax, there are other reasons to have a credit shelter trust. Here are a few … Even amongst recent tax law changes, there are certain estate planning tools that are still good ole’ standbys for your estate plan. ...
by Christine | Apr 26, 2013 | Estate Planning, Exit Strategy, Small Business, Succession Planning |
There are myriad ways to begin the exit process from your business without giving up management control. [Here] are some ideas to structure for an eventual departure, without having to hand over the keys to the business right now. Business succession planning...
by Christine | Apr 25, 2013 | ATRA 2012, Budget, Estate Tax, Federal Estate Tax, Inheritance Tax |
Although the new $5.25 million exemption shields the vast majority of estates from federal taxes, state estate taxes are alive and well. Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia impose some type of death tax, and most kick in at a level much lower than the...
by Christine | Apr 24, 2013 | Digital Assets, Digital Estate Planning, Virtual Assets |
Google on Wednesday became one of the first major Internet companies to put control of data after death directly into the hands of its users. Technology has changed the way we view assets, as we now have virtual assets to protect in addition to our tangible property....
by Christine | Apr 23, 2013 | FATCA, International Taxation, Retirement Abroad |
So how should Americans working abroad or with a financial life in two countries manage their finances? Traveling abroad can be exhilarating enough, but living abroad comes with a whole other level of excitement … and even some hitches if you aren’t careful. If you...
by Christine | Apr 22, 2013 | Elder Care, Estate Planning |
Even if a copy of your living will ends up at the hospital with you — that's hardly guaranteed — doctors routinely don't know how to interpret them. They may still leave friends and family confused about what you want. End-of-life decisions are...
