A spouse who inherits an IRA has a choice. The surviving spouse can move the account into an inherited IRA to keep the tax shelter. Or she can choose to roll the account into her own IRA. There are some unique rules that go into effect when an IRA is…
If you wish to ensure that your estate does not fall prey to predators, creditors or taxes, keep reading to be sure you're not committing the five cardinal sins of estate planning. Just as it's important to know what to do, it's vital to know what NOT to do. Take…
Perhaps the more important detail of this story is that the home was sold in an estate sale by heirs who appear to have let the property go for considerably less than market value. Inherited property brings with it certain important responsibilities, and that goes double and triple for executors…
Time, it seems, has healed past wounds enough to leave us remembering Grandpa Oscar with a smile. Very belatedly the violin has served its purpose. We can hold on to the memories and let go of the object. Family heirlooms seem to have special powers over the family. Memories and…
“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,”…
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…
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…
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…