ABLE accounts provide tax benefits and flexibility to disabled people. ABLE accounts are available to those disabled before age 26. Read on to learn more about ABLE accounts and how they can be used with a Special Needs Trust for maximum advantage. Those with special needs have unique challenges in life. But, there are special accounts available to individuals who were disabled before age 26. The Achieving a Better Life Experience or “ABLE” Act created ABLE accounts under section 529A. As … [Read more...]
Estate Planning is for You, Not Just Your Parents or Grandparents
If you’re young and unmarried, do you really need an estate plan? The answer is “yes,” if you care what happens to you and your stuff. Read on to find out how an estate plan can help someone who is young and unmarried. Often, people think estate planning is just for those who are elderly. While the elderly certainly need estate planning, estate planning is for anyone who cares what happens to them, their stuff, or their family. For someone who is young and healthy, estate planning may be … [Read more...]
Planning for the Unexpected
Charlotte Fox was an adventurous woman. She was a serious mountain climber and reached the summit of some of the world’s tallest mountains. She became the first American woman to climb three peaks above 8,000 meters, including the world’s tallest peak. She was a member of a climbing party on Mount Everest in 1996 which encountered disaster on their descent. Several members of the party died. It’s the basis of Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air.” Everyone understands there are risks climbing the … [Read more...]
Incapacity Planning
Nobody wants incapacity, not for yourself and not for your loved ones. But planning for that possibility can avoid complications and increase options. The article discusses the elements of incapacity planning and the need for flexibility to do Medicaid planning. It discusses how a trust with Medicaid triggers can allow that. People plan to die. We know it’s going to happen. Perhaps we have life insurance to cover our financial responsibilities and care for our loved ones. We may have a Will … [Read more...]
Planning to Avoid Too Much SALT
The new tax law brought a cap of $10,000 on federal deduction for state and local taxes. People are trying different ways to get around the cap. Some of the ways work and others could land you in hot water. Doctors have long said that too much salt isn’t good for you. Now it appears that too much “SALT” isn’t deductible either. December 2017 brought a new federal tax law, The Tax and Jobs Act, which limited the deductibility of state and local taxes (“SALT”) to $10,000 per year. This $10,000 … [Read more...]
Trusts for Privacy
Trusts have many uses. Perhaps the most important is that they can provide privacy at death. Garry Shandling is thought to have used a trust to provide privacy for those he left behind. There are many good reasons to use trusts: Trusts avoid the probate process, which is a public process to change title of assets from the deceased person to the new recipient. Trusts may be helpful in tax planning. Specialized irrevocable trusts may be helpful in qualifying for Medicaid. Trusts … [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. Today’s world is increasingly mobile. It’s increasingly common for estate planning attorneys to have clients who weren’t born in the United States or who own property outside of the United States. How do we meet the needs of these clients? The threshold … [Read more...]
What’s a 529 Plan and What Are the Benefits to Using One?
Would you be interested in a way to save money for education and get tax benefits simultaneously? A 529 plan might be what you’re seeking. Find out more by reading the benefits of a 529 plan. A 529 plan is an account in which you can save for educational expenses. There are two types of plans. The first is a pre-paid tuition plan which is typically sponsored by a university. The second type of plan is an investment savings plan, typically sponsored by a state or state agency. The second type … [Read more...]
Estate Planning: It’s Not Just About the Estate Taxes
When we plan our lives and our estates, it’s not all about the estate taxes. Of course, estate taxes should be taken into consideration, but there are many more important factors. That’s why the temporary doubling (until the end of 2025) of the amount which can be passed free of estate tax (to $11.18 million in 2018) does not remove the need for estate planning. Whether the exclusion amount is $5.59 million or $11.18 million is irrelevant to the vast majority of people. Here are some … [Read more...]
Planning for Frequent Flyer Miles
Frequent Flyer miles and other reward points can be valuable resources. Many credit card companies give tens of thousands of miles or points for opening an account and then give miles or points for each purchase. The typical frequent flyer mile is worth 1.5 cents. While this may not sound like much, a balance of 100,000 miles would be worth $1,500. It’s not uncommon for people to have hundreds of thousands or more miles or points in different programs for airlines, hotels, and more. Here’s a … [Read more...]
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