Newsletter Archive
September 2011
Marital Matters
This month we focus on making proper estate plans to avoid common legal and financial challenges in your marriage. Meeting these challenges will help you honor the vows you made on your wedding day to care for one another.
Non-Citizen Spouses
Fact: Many U.S. citizens marry non-citizen spouses. Problem: Lifetime and post-mortem transfers to a non-citizen spouse can trigger significant gift and estate taxes. The tax rules are complex and proper estate planning requires great care.
Admirable Administration
Have you appointed trusted family members, friends or professionals to serve as the fiduciaries of your estate plan upon your death? If so, our first article is a must-read as we review some of the responsibilities (and liabilities) they will face.
Treasure Hunt
Every youngster, at one time or another, dreams of going on a treasure hunt. However, the fiduciaries of your estate will not find inventorying your assets to be nearly as exciting. Our next article provides tips on making their job easier (and less expensive).
Blended Family Basics
Is yours a blended family? If yes, then you face unique inheritance challenges, to include disinheriting your ex-spouse, providing for your new spouse and your own children, and protecting their inheritance. Keep this newsletter (and share it with others).
Estate Equalization
Next we consider estate equalization planning to avoid disinheriting either your new spouse, or your children of a prior marriage. Insurance premiums and legal fees are cheap compared to the costs of disinheritance.
Women: Law & Money
Are you a woman or do you know someone who is? If so, then you will want to read and share this issue of our newsletter. The first article reviews some important Estate Essentials and Money Matters every woman should address without delay.
Daughter Syndrome
Our next article examines the Daughter Syndrome. After a woman rears her children and cares for her parents, in-laws and husband … who is there for her? These days it is prudent to have a plan to care for the caregiver, given our mobile society.
May 2011
Elder Law Elements
Good news, bad news. The good news: Americans are living longer than ever. The bad news: we eventually wear out physically, mentally or both. In this issue we review two challenges: becoming incapacitated and going broke due to long-term care.
Long-Term Caring
Here we examine important considerations when selecting a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. In addition to policy benefits, be sure to check the health of the insurance company standing behind the policy itself!
Tomorrowitis
Why doesn’t everyone have their final affairs in order, especially in light of the likelihood of incapacity and the certainty of death? Our lead article in this issue takes aim at the chief culprit: Tomorrowitis.
Finding Fiduciaries
Here we consider the critical process of selecting and appointing appropriate fiduciaries to handle your financial affairs when you cannot. In fact, this is one of the first (and most important) planning decisions you must make
March 2011
Solo Solutions
Singles comprise nearly half of the adult American population. Whether never married, widowed or divorced, single adults face unique Life & Estate Planning issues. In this issue of our newsletter we focus on the challenges from a singular perspective.
Premarital Planning
Whether you are getting married or remarried, here we examine Premarital Planning and offer some practical pointers regarding important financial and legal matters that you will want to consider before you tie-the-knot.
February 2011
Special Needs Trusts
Caring for a family member with special needs can be difficult enough, without losing government assistance. Our lead article reviews common mistakes, and a government-approved strategy to maximize support for the person with special needs.
Securing Security
Here we examine two alternative trusts that supplement (but do not supplant) government assistance provided to a family member with special needs. Also, we will consider a proven method to finance their long-term security.
January 2011
Joint Tenancy Troubles
Have you ever heard of Joint Tenancy? This form of property ownership can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the circumstances (outside of your control). Read our lead article to learn the good, the bad and the ugly of this common form of ownership.
JTWROS Alternatives
Here, we review alternatives to the Joint Tenancy form of property ownership. Each should be carefully considered in light of their relative risks and rewards in accomplishing your estate planning goals.
December 2010
Revocable Living Trust
Revocable Living Trusts are popular estate planning tools, especially when probate avoidance is an objective. Our lead article reviews how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and some of the important matters to consider in their creation.
Trust Funding
Here we summarize one of the most important aspects of ensuring the success of any Living Trust-based estate plan: Trust Funding. Without careful attention to this detail, probate may not be avoided as intended.
November 2010
Are You Ready?
In this article we focus on getting (and keeping) your legal affairs in order. Whether you have a comprehensive estate plan or intend to create one soon, the goal is to make sure that everyone and everything is okay, even if you are not.
Post-Marital Plans
Here we examine legal tools and techniques that are must-haves for married couples, and some that may be more important depending on your unique needs. You will want to share this article with your married friends and family members.
October 2010
Family Matters
If you are a member of a family, then our lead article is a must-read. We review some fundamental legal matters you need to address before it is too late, from appointing your decision-makers to protecting any inheritance you may leave.
Critical Choices
Here we consider the critical choices everyone must make when selecting guardians and financial fiduciaries for their minor children. We offer helpful and practical pointers for evaluating and selecting potential candidates.
September 2010
Charitable Opportunities
Americans have a rich heritage of philanthropy. Unfortunately, too many taxpayers are involuntary philanthropists because they fail to maximize the tax incentives to become voluntary philanthropists in support of the charities of their own choosing.
The Charitable Trifecta
Perhaps you have heard the old saying that “charity begins at home.” Many otherwise generous givers understandably do not want to disinherit their own family. This article highlights a solution to this common concern.
August 2010
Beneficiary Designations
In this issue of our newsletter we shift our attention to one of the most critical, and often overlooked, aspects of retirement planning. Our lead article considers common pitfalls in the selection of a designated beneficiary.e.
Pension Maximization
Here we explain the pension payout options you need to know now, so you can protect your financial security in retirement. You will want to make sure you (and your friends) have made appropriate arrangements before it is too late.
July 2010
Majoring in Minor Children
Most Parents expend considerable time and treasure to provide for their minor children. But not all parents live to see their children enter adulthood. Our lead article reviews key considerations to provide for your children in a world without you.
Leveraging Legacies with a Section 529 Plan
Here we survey tax-savvy lifetime gifting strategies to leverage legacies to minor children, with some surprising control retained by the donor. [Hint: You might want to share this article with their grandparents!]
June 2010
Educating Young Adults About Estate Planning
By and large, Americans are a rather independent lot. This month's article reviews some fundamental threats to our personal independence in the context of estate planning for young adult Americans. You will want to share this article with the young adults in your life.
Carrots & Sticks: Protecting Your Inheritance
Here we consider a Carrots & Sticks approach to inheritance planning. To protect your heirs from catching a bad case of Affluenza, you may want to learn how proper estate planning can protect a hard-earned inheritance both from them and for them before it is too late.
Note: Nothing in this publication is intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any person for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties regarding any transactions or matters addressed herein. You should always seek advice from independent tax advisors regarding the same. [See IRS Circular 230.]
