by Christine | Feb 27, 2015 | Uncategorized |
There is less emphasis on estate taxes because the exemption—$5.43 million per person—is so high now. But income taxes are higher, so know what you are in for. Maybe the estate tax doesn’t apply to you, but what about rising income taxes? How should you plan...
by Christine | Feb 26, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Don't think savings is a big deal? Ask anyone who is running their own business, decided to retire early or abandoned their old job to go after their dream career. Savings was their saving grace, no pun intended. The Fall 2014 Merrill Edge Report showed that 80...
by Christine | Feb 25, 2015 | Asset Protection, Bequest, Living Trust, Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Special Needs, Special Needs Children, Special Needs Planning, Trusts |
"I think it's great because it's not overreaching and it's not underreaching. It just kind of fits that one spot where we didn't have something: How does somebody with a disability put some money aside to do something? To basically be living like...
by Christine | Feb 24, 2015 | Asset Protection, Bequest, Estate Planning, Estates, Living Trust, Probate, Trusts, Wills |
There’s barely a person over the age of 40 or so who does not come with a family squabble about, well, things following the death of a well-loved parent, grandparent, or family friend. Even Robin Williams, who planned his estate well, could not avoid a family feud...
by Christine | Feb 23, 2015 | Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Living Trust, Trusts, Wills |
People have many options today for creating their own estate planning documents. Forms can be purchased quickly from websites and books. However, trying to create your own estate plan can actually be more expensive than hiring an attorney. Everyone knows that...
by Christine | Feb 20, 2015 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Income Tax, Power of Attorney, Tax Planning |
Actually, the answer is yes. The Tax Court is an actual federal court and not, as some people think, affiliated with the IRS. At Tax Court, the IRS is a party to the matter just like the taxpayer. If you’ve got beef with the IRS, maybe you should head to court....
by Christine | Feb 19, 2015 | Advanced Health Care Directive, Conservatorships, Elder Abuse, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estates, Living Trust, Nursing Home, Special Needs, Trusts |
The hits just keep coming in DJ Casey Kasem’s estate battle. "Detectives are still actively investigating the elder abuse case," LAPD spokesperson Jane Kimtold THR. "They want to be as thorough as possible before a case is presented to the...
by Christine | Feb 18, 2015 | Asset Protection, Blended Families, Estate Planning, Estates, Living Trust, Turnover |
Blended families without a proper estate plan for wealth transfer could run into additional obstacles not observed by traditional families. For example, state inheritance rules, intestate laws, and conflicts in beneficiary designations could be inconsistent with the...
by Christine | Feb 17, 2015 | Asset Protection, College Planning, Estate Planning, Roth IRA, Tax Planning |
There are three basic tax advantaged vehicles to help save for college: 529 plans, Coverdall Education Savings Accounts and Roth IRAs. Saving for college? Consider three tax advantaged tools to help fund your child’s or grandchild’s education: 529 plans, Coverdall...
by Christine | Feb 16, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Roth IRAs intrinsically make phenomenal transfer of wealth vehicles. With reduced estate taxes and no income tax for heirs to pay on withdrawals, establishing a Roth IRA or even converting to one from a Traditional IRA seems to be a simple decision. Just know what you...