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Estate Planning

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  • Younger Inheritors, Women Concerned About Pitfalls of Wealth

    May 8, 2012

    Younger members of ultra-wealthy households are grappling with their forebears for a say in wealth planning, and women are concerned about how money affects their relationships.

  • How Soon Will States Close Their Estate Tax Loopholes?

    April 30, 2012

    The implementation of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 started the process of "decoupling" between the Federal estate tax and various states. As the years moved forward, many states retained a $1 million estate tax exemption amount, decoupling their exemption from the Federal amount that has ultimately risen to its current $5 million level. However, the reality is that a second decoupling just occurred in 2011, and as a result, a new state estate tax planning "loophole" has opened up, creating a planning opportunity for many clients, but only until the states close the loophole.

  • Planning Parallels with Positive Psychology

    January 3, 2012

    Understand the three levels of happiness and be ready to connect them with their financial-planning equivalents.

  • 6 Year-End Gifting Rules Every Investor Needs to Know

    December 29, 2011

    The principle behind the annual gift tax exclusion is to shelter gifts commonly made on birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions. However, many high-net-worth individuals may also utilize the annual gift tax exclusion as a strategy to mitigate the impact of future estate taxes.

  • Accountant for Huguette Clark Estate Resigns Amid Tax Fraud Allegations

    December 28, 2011

    The accountant and attorney for the estate of a 104-year-old copper mine heiress who died earlier this year have been under investigation for their handling of their client's finances, and the accountant has now resigned as executor.

  • Preparing Clients For Their Digital Afterlife During Estate Planning

    December 23, 2011

    Every new year, many financial planners prompt clients to revisit and update their estate plans and wills. In so doing, they should begin teaching clients about a new – but critical – area of estate planning: attending to their digital legacies.

  • Planners Use Intra-Family Loans to Cut Out Middleman

    November 9, 2011

    In this low interest rate environment, some financial planners are advising their clients to cut the middleman out entirely with intra-family loans.

  • Thoughtful Estate Planning is Key to Any Financial Plan

    August 8, 2011

    Making estate planning decisions can sometimes bring up uncomfortable topics for clients, but Holly Thomas, the founder of Holly P. Thomas, LLC, in Tampa, Fla., said it's a vital part of any financial plan.

  • Clients Need to Act Fast to Benefit From Congress' Sweet Estate Planning Deal

    June 28, 2011

    If your clients have money in retirement accounts they won’t need to live on, they can put that money into a Roth IRA and avoid paying taxes on any gains. Now, grandkids can inherit up to $5 million tax free.

  • Family of Zsa Zsa Gabor Feuds In Actress' Final Days

    June 27, 2011

    Zsa Zsa Gabor, who appeared in dozens of movies and television shows throughout a career that spanned five decades, is approaching the end. Sadly, her final days are surrounding by fighting between her husband of 25 years and her only daughter.

  • Michael Jackson Estate Faces $17.5 Million Insurance Fight

    June 21, 2011

    Legal controversy has surrounded the Estate of Michael Jackson ever since he died almost two years ago. Trial & Heirs did a year in review article last year; it’s almost time for year two. You can now add a new lawsuit — over $17.5 million worth of insurance — to the list.

  • Did Ryan O'Neal Take Advantage of Farrah Fawcett?

    June 14, 2011

    Farrah Fawcett, dying from cancer, floated in and out of consciousness and needed a full-time nurse when Ryan O’Neal interceded to appease NBC and make sure a documentary about Fawcett’s struggle with cancer aired in time for the May sweeps period. At least, that’s the picture painted in a recent New York Times article.