“I had this fear that wealth could dissolve the family and the business would disintegrate,” Mr. Wiener, 68, said. So he hired coaches and consultants, had family meetings and set up a family foundation — all with the goal of keeping his family together after he died. “It’s not perfect;…
One of the key advantages of a portability-based estate plan over a credit shelter trust-based estate plan is that portability allows the married couple to obtain a second step up in basis upon the death of the second spouse. With the new ability to minimize estate taxation, known as “portability,”…
“This time it’s not about the beginning of life or how babies are made. It’s about the end of life — yours — and the many issues and decisions that will confront you and your children.” Back when the kids were kids, it seemed like the “birds and the bees”…
There are several ways to donate a life insurance policy to charity, according to the Planned Giving Design Center, Monroe, NC. There are many advantages to life insurance as it can be a cushion against high-cost issues or a source of much-needed cash flow for your family. However, you might…
FLPs offer multi-layered benefits by providing senior family members with several advantages—all without ceding control of the assets to junior family members. Estate Planning is often a game of give and take. So what if you want to give away your assets, but not just yet? As is so often…
Alzheimer’s patients live for years with diminished mental skills, which makes it crucial that they make decisions early on about how their care should proceed. Planning for one’s estate and for one’s late-in-life plans requires more than a bit of wherewithal. This is not only an empirical fact but also…
NING, Ding, Grat. Ilit, Crat, Crut, Qtip. So what are these oddly named trusts and what do people who need them need to know? Ever been to a place where you don't understand the language? Learning a new language is no easy task. At least when it comes to French…
… Large-scale strategic philanthropists are forcing family foundations of all sizes "to re-examine whether they're approaching their giving in a way that's likely to have the biggest impact." And, sometimes, as Pierce has found, a bigger impact can come from foundations of smaller sizes. Small family charities and foundations can…
Much is undoubtedly delivered with great love and compassion. But, sadly, it is also provided by family members who have no caregiving skills. Deciding on medical care later in life or setting it up for a loved one is a difficult process that should be thoroughly evaluated. While there are many…
Stop saying everyone knows what you want. Everybody probably doesn’t know. Or in their grief, they may not be able to make the decisions you would have preferred. If you don’t leave written instructions, emotions or unresolved issues can get in the way. The amount of frustration a family goes…