September 23, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the federal estate tax exemption considerably. Before the tax reform law, it was $5.49 million per person for 2017. It's up to $11.7 million for 2021 ($23.4 million for a married couple).
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
Only about 35% of Americans have heard of 529 plans, according to the College Savings Plans Network. Of those, a mere one in four connect the plans with higher education savings.
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
A heath care directive is a legal document that lets you express your health care preferences and, if you wish, designate authority to someone to make care decisions for you, if you cannot make them yourself.
Read MoreSeptember 16, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
If you’ve had an IRA and a 401(k) for many years, you may occasionally ask yourself some questions: ‘Am I contributing enough?’ ‘Am I still funding these accounts with the right mix of investments for my goals and risk tolerance?
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
As you know, a power of attorney (POA) allows another person, the Attorney-in-Fact (AIF), to conduct business on behalf of the principal. The POA authorizes the AIF to sign for and on behalf of the principal.
Read MoreSeptember 14, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
A credit shelter trust is used to help married couples with significant assets pass their estates after their deaths to children or other beneficiaries without incurring estate taxes.
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
The conservator is court appointed and may be responsible for financial decisions, such as retirement planning, the purchase or sale of property and the movement of any other financial assets.
Read MoreSeptember 10, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
Vacation property can become a family legacy. Keeping your cabin, fishing lodge, hunting property or other special assets separate for future generations is often a special goal for a family.
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
I’m a trustee selling a home in irrevocable trust for a parent who died. There are two beneficiaries who will get the sale proceeds with a stepped-up basis. I’m filing Form 1041 but do I still have to file a Form 1040 to report anything for the beneficiaries?
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2021 •
Estate Planning ![]()
Each type of retirement benefit has a different eligibility age. Your age plays a big role in how much you can expect to receive from Social Security and what you need to do to avoid retirement account penalties.
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