by Christine | May 2, 2012 | Charitable Giving, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) |
Congress hasn't reauthorized the law allowing people to give required minimum distributions from IRAs tax-free to charity but may by the end of the year. Are you taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from your IRA? Perhaps you would rather contribute your...
by Christine | May 1, 2012 | Estate Planning, Wills |
The bottom line is if you love and cherish your family, you MUST take the time to write your will. It ensures your assets are given to your family or other beneficiaries based on your wishes. Writing your Last Will and Testament is the most basic act of estate...
by Christine | Apr 30, 2012 | Elder Law, Estate Planning |
Have you ever tried to talk to your aging parent about finances and been told to take a hike? “Just mind your own business. I’ll be fine”. Taking care of an elderly loved one can be difficult, especially when they are nervous about meeting of their own future needs....
by Christine | Apr 27, 2012 | Family Business, Small Business, Succession Planning |
Running a family business is the most natural thing in the world–and the most unnatural. Handle it well, and it can make you rich, capitalize on bonds no ordinary colleagues could share, and keep your family employed for generations. Handle it badly, and it can...
by Christine | Apr 26, 2012 | Estate Tax, Gift Tax |
While it is well known that compromise legislation at the end of 2010 extending Bush-era temporary tax reductions increased the estate tax exemption to $5 million, it is less well known that the lifetime gift tax exemption was also raised to $5 million. With April...
by Christine | Apr 25, 2012 | Dementia, Elder Care, Elder Law |
“Art offers [patients with dementia] a way of communication that doesn’t rely on their verbal skills and allows them to contribute in a way that they don’t often get to do,” said Nancy Lee Hendley, dementia care trainer for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s...
by Christine | Apr 24, 2012 | Alzheimer's, Dementia, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Wills |
Advancements in medical science and care may enable us to live fuller, longer lives. The flip side is that more of us, like Mike Wallace, are likely to suffer from a diminished mental state–a harsh reality that’s difficult to accept. It has been an unfortunate past...
by Christine | Apr 23, 2012 | Estate Law, Estate Planning, Married Couple |
How married couples and domestic partners structure their estate plans can make the difference between whether a family stays connected or gets blown apart after the first spouse or partner passes away. Things can be even more complicated and volatile in blended...
by Christine | Apr 20, 2012 | Family Business, Succession Planning |
Despite the particular challenges of running a family business, the successful ones recognize that their longevity depends on keeping customers, employees and shareholders happy. “We don’t like the idea of family business,” Andrew Cornell said. “We like the idea of...
by Christine | Apr 19, 2012 | Annuity, Charitable Giving, Gift, Gift Annuity |
More people are seeking investment income from an unlikely source: their favorite nonprofits. Why "gift annuities" are on the rise. In charity, as in all matters, the greatest gifts are the ones that keep on giving. This is especially true when the gift...
