Monthly Newsletter - April 2012

Adult Education

By and large, Americans are a rather independent lot. Our first article reviews some fundamental threats to our personal independence in the context of young adult Americans. You will want to share this article with the young adults in your life.
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Carrots & Sticks

In our second article, 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 to protect a hard-earned inheritance both from them and for them before it is too late.
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Monthly Newsletter - March 2012

Facing Facts

It can be difficult to ponder our own mortality. That is just our human nature. Nevertheless, the clock is ticking for each of us. Our first article highlights some critical issues we all need to address while there is still time to make proper financial and legal plans.
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Lasting Letters

In our second article, we encourage you to consider lasting letters as a means to enrich relationships with your loved ones. Since letter writing has become a lost art, the mere fact that you make the effort will be remarkable.
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Monthly Newsletter - February 2012

Generational Generosity

Would you prefer to transfer more wealth to your family instead of the IRS? Our first article summarizes the relevant lifetime gifting rules and considers two common do-it-yourself transfer methods.
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Crummey Trusts

In our second article, we investigate how lifetime gifting to a Crummey Trust may help reveal the financial maturity level of your loved ones. There are certain iâ??s to dot and tâ??s to cross, however, to ensure the successful operation of your Crummey Trust.
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Monthly Newsletter - January 2012

Five Estate Blunders

Proper estate planning is not just for the rich and famous. Surprisingly, however, that is a common misconception. Every adult American has an estate worth planning, regardless of their net worth. In this article we review some critical concerns and plans.
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Family Feuds

Our second article considers the subject of Family Feuds resulting from an inheritance, or lack thereof. Your family may not resemble the Hatfields and the McCoys, but family disharmony can be avoided through proper planning (and communication).
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Monthly Newsletter - December 2011

Family Limited Partnerships

Family Limited Partnerships offer many benefits, both tax and non-tax. Our first article is a primer that explores why they are at once a taxpayer favorite ... and a potential target of the IRS and some courts.
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Asset Protection

In our second article, we examine three strategies for protecting your hard-earned wealth: exempting your assets, limiting your liability, and transferring your risk. This article will inspire you to take specific actions today to protect your wealth tomorrow.
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Monthly Newsletter - November 2011

Seasonal Solutions

To everything there is a season. So it is with your Life & Estate Plan. Our first article uses a Seasons of Life theme to illustrate how your Life & Estate Plan may change with your personal and financial circumstances over your lifetime.

The Three P's Protocol

On our second article, we review the process of organizing your legal affairs to help ensure that your planning is thorough. As you will see, it is simply a matter of identifying your Three P's.
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Monthly Newsletter - October 2011

Cohabitation Complexities

Like their married counterparts, unmarried cohabitants need to make appropriate Life & Estate Plans to avoid especially unpleasant and expensive surprises. Our first article reviews common challenges in the context of some real-life scenarios.
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Post-Marital Planning

Next 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.
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Monthly Newsletter - 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.
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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.
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Monthly Newsletter - August 2011

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.
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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).
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Monthly Newsletter - July 2011

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).
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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.
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Monthly Newsletter - June 2011

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.
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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.
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Monthly Newsletter - May 2011

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.
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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.
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