Lottery winners often end up in bankruptcy. Learn how an estate planning attorney can help you avoid mistakes and plan for your newfound wealth. The article looks at ways to protect the wealth and ways to benefit charity and others. Planning for Lottery Winners, Part 2 of 2 … [Read more...]
Planning for Lottery Winners, Part 1 of 2
A lucky winner recently won $320 million in the lottery. This article looks at an example of a prior winner’s mistakes. The next article in the series will examine strategies for lottery winners. Planning for Lottery Winners, Part 1 of 2 … [Read more...]
Planning for Frequent Flyer Miles
This article examines the transfer of frequent flyer mile accounts to beneficiaries. It looks at Anthony Bourdain’s will and its disposition of his miles. The article points out that these are contractual rights and you may or may not be able to transfer them at death. Planning for Frequent Flyer Miles … [Read more...]
New Tax Law May Affect State Income Tax, Too!
The new tax law has many impacts on state income taxes in 2018. The law limits the deductibility of state income taxes for federal purposes. It also raises the federal standard deduction amount. However, taxpayers should consider the impact on their state income tax of the decisions they make to minimize their federal taxes. This article examines why. New Tax Law May Affect State Income Tax, Too! … [Read more...]
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 6: Taxes
An estate plan considers many important aspects. We wrap up our six part series with a critical aspect to consider -- the impact of taxes. This article examines some of the many ways consideration of taxes might impact an estate plan. 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 6: Taxes … [Read more...]
Age-Related Retirement Milestones
Retirement takes planning. This article includes milestone ages, such as when you must begin taking distributions from retirement plans. The article also includes links to resources which will be helpful in your retirement planning process. Age-Related Retirement Milestones … [Read more...]
Planning for the Unexpected
This article examines the death of Charlotte Fox, one of the most famous mount climbers ever, who fell down her stairs at home. You never know what risks might be around the corner, so you should be prepared. The article looks at the elements of a basic plan. Planning for the Unexpected … [Read more...]
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets
Let's continue our six part series on important things to consider as you design an estate plan. Retirement assets may be a very large part of a person’s estate at death. It’s important to consider the income tax ramifications of naming a beneficiary, as well as protecting those assets for the beneficiaries. This article considers some of these issues. 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets … [Read more...]
Planning for the International Client
Estate planning for the international client can be tricky. This article looks at the estate tax treatment of U.S. citizens and non-resident aliens. The article then looks at an example of someone who lived in the U.S. and then departed. Planning for the International Client … [Read more...]
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 4: Beneficiary Designations
Now that we've covered Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and Children, it's now appropriate to discuss how beneficiary designations can be a simple way to pass assets at death. While beneficiary designations avoid probate, they may introduce other problems. This article shows how a revocable trust can provide a more flexible way to achieve a client’s goals. 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 4: Beneficiary Designations … [Read more...]
