Recent News & Blog / Estate Planning
Now or later: When’s the right time to transfer your wealth?
To gift or not to gift? It’s a deceptively complex question. The temporary doubling of the federal gift and estate tax exemption — to an inflation-adjusted $11.7 million in 2021 — is viewed by some people as a “use it or lose it” proposition.
You Have Options When Addressing Life Insurance in Your Estate Plan
Life insurance has long provided a source of liquidity to pay estate taxes and other expenses. But, with the estate tax exemption currently set at an inflation-adjusted $10 million ($11.40 million for 2019), estate taxes are no longer a concern for many families.
What does a trustee do?
Your estate plan may include several different trusts. The reason is that various types of trusts can accomplish a myriad of estate planning goals. Thus, it’s critical to understand the role of a trustee. The trustee’s duties
Reduce gift and estate tax exposure by making direct payments of tuition and medical expenses
Now that the gift and estate tax exemption has risen to $11.7 million for 2021, you may be less concerned about these taxes.
With a flick of the switch: Build an on-off mechanism into your estate plan
When planning your estate, it’s critical to balance estate tax planning and income tax planning.
Avoid these four estate planning deadly sins
According to literature, the “seven deadly sins” are lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy and pride. Although individuals may be guilty of these from time to time, other types of “sins” can be fatal to an estate plan if you’re not careful. Here are four transgressions to avoid.
Only specific trusts are eligible to hold S corporation stock
S corporations must comply with several strict requirements or risk losing their tax-advantaged status. Among other things, they can have no more than 100 shareholders, no more than one class of stock and only certain types of shareholders.
Put pen to paper: How a letter of instruction can benefit family harmony
You may view your will as the centerpiece of your estate plan. But other documents can complement it. For example, if you haven’t already done so, consider writing a letter of instruction.
Buy-sell agreements: A smart business decision also makes estate planning sense
Do you own a business with one or more individuals?
Making lifetime gifts continues to be a smart estate planning strategy
With the federal gift and estate tax exemption now at a record high $11.58 million for 2020, most estates aren’t taxable. But that doesn’t mean making lifetime gifts isn’t without significant benefits — even if your estate isn’t taxable under the current rules.