Choosing the right Agent under a Power of Attorney is one of the most important choices. This article discusses the qualities of an ideal Agent and qualities to avoid in selecting an Agent. Read on to learn more. A Secret Agent may be very important to protecting the nation. Your Agent is just as important for your protection. An Agent is the person who makes financial decisions for you under a Financial Power of Attorney or makes medical decisions for you under a Health Care Power of … [Read more...]
Estate Planning is About More Than Taxes
Estate Planning addresses many concerns, not just taxes. It can protect beneficiaries from their own creditors, provide divorce and remarriage protection, and protect the benefits of children with special needs. Learn more about how Estate Planning can help protect your beneficiaries by providing privacy and other benefits. The new tax law doubled the amount that can be passed free of federal estate taxation, at least through 2025. In 2018, an individual can pass $11.18 million free from … [Read more...]
Aretha Franklin Died Intestate: What Does It Mean for Her Family?
Aretha Franklin died intestate. Intestacy has definite drawbacks. Read on to see what this means for her family, financially and in other ways. Aretha was the Queen of Soul, but her lack of planning caused consequences she did not consider. Aretha Franklin was known as the “Queen of Soul.” She was a singer, songwriter, civil rights activist, and so much more. Aretha was a great recording artist, with a career spanning many decades. She received honorary degrees from many prestigious … [Read more...]
Naming a Trust as Beneficiary of an IRA
Whom should you name as the beneficiary of your IRA or Qualified Plan? Sometimes, it can be best to name a trust for your intended beneficiary. Read on to see the protections a trust can offer that a direct designation of the individual would not. With IRAs and Qualified Plans, after the death of the “Participant” (the lifetime owner), there are required minimum distributions based on the life expectancy of the beneficiary. Often, people think that an individual must be named as the … [Read more...]
Turning the Page on 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019
As we turn the page and bid farewell to 2018, we look forward to 2019. There are a few changes for 2019. Going into 2018, there were many changes because of a new tax law, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which impacted both the estate tax and the income tax. But, there are few changes heading into 2019. It appears things are relatively stable, taxwise, at least for now. Of course, the estate and personal income tax portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act still are set to sunset, but … [Read more...]
Prenuptial Agreements Can Provide Remarriage Protection
Requiring a prenuptial agreement before your spouse remarries can provide peace of mind and protect your spouse, your children, and their inheritance. If you leave your assets in a trust for your spouse and children, you can require your spouse obtain a prenuptial agreement before remarriage. This can protect your loved ones. Read on to find out more about prenuptial agreements. Prenuptial agreements are on the rise. Here‘s a Huffington Post article explaining this rise and the reasons behind … [Read more...]
You Never Know: Planning for the Unexpected
This article examines the deaths of two people who died from doing very typical things. You never know what risks might be around the corner, even in seemingly safe endeavors, so you should be prepared. The article looks at the elements of a basic plan. On a hot summer day, few things are more fun than swimming. Hannah Collins went swimming on such a day in the Edisto river near Charleston, South Carolina. She swam often and was nicknamed “river rat” by her father. But, while swimming one … [Read more...]
Planning for the Client Moving Overseas
In this increasingly mobile world, clients often spend periods of time living in other countries, or even retiring overseas. How does one address estate planning in this situation? More and more, Americans are choosing to travel overseas. Sometimes, when they travel for business or pleasure, it just whets their appetite. While there aren’t many reliable figures, in 1999 the State Department estimated that between 3 and 6 million Americans are living abroad. In 2016, they estimated 9 … [Read more...]
Special Accounts for People with Special Needs
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...]
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