As the year comes to a close, it is time to consider how we show our generosity, so we can allocate our resources deliberately and effectively. There is still time to give those charitable gifts for 2013! And there are countless worthy causes to choose from. So the question is:…
“What we’ve found is that donors give — and give more — when confident the money will actually make a difference." The giving season is upon us as the end of 2013 is near. Charitable donations are an important way of giving back. If you are ready to…
Often, proxies are confused about how “do not hospitalize” orders work. Several proxies believed, mistakenly, that a such an order was equivalent to a request to withhold medical intervention altogether. For elderly loved ones in nursing homes, there is a very powerful tool found in a little known directive known…
You may have to raise some unpleasant issues when you speak with family members over the holidays if you want to ensure a successful retirement. Soon enough families with be gathering together to celebrate the holiday season. There will be much chatter around the table as families catch up with…
Planning for a special needs beneficiary can be incredibly complex, so it’s generally best to consult with a knowledgeable attorney in your state who specializes in this area. Estate planning helps to ensure our loved ones will be taken care of when we are no longer here. These plans are…
A comprehensive estate plan ensures that wills, trusts, ownership forms and beneficiary designations are in sync with your wishes. Is your plan up-to-date? As the old adage puts it, most folks do not “plan to fail, they just fail to plan.” In this sense, leaving an inheritance behind can get…
While the dispute over inherited IRAs has not arisen often, it may crop up more in the future. Does an "inherited" retirement account remain a retirement account for the intended heir? This may sound like a rhetorical question, but it is currently one before the U.S. Supreme Court in the…
An estimated 70% of businesses don’t have a family member capable or willing to assume responsibility. What are you doing to plan for the sale? A certain reality will eventually set in when it comes to the future of your business. And that reality is that some day you…
In the end, the goal is to convert what is otherwise a fleeting inheritance into a perpetual wealth management opportunity for the family. This goal can only be accomplished through proper, coordinated planning. Our goal of passing along wealth to the next generation is to ensure their wellbeing and happiness…
Done right, death-bed revisions may save their families income and estate taxes and prevent misunderstandings and administrative hassles. If not handled carefully, though, it can leave a will open to legal challenges that can drag on for many years … During one's final hours, people tend to review their last…