Looking back over the past two decades of the subprime mortgage crisis and the COVID pandemic, we are reminded that good times do not last forever. In each of these circumstances, we learned that the best way to protect yourself during hard times is to plan and prepare for a potential downturn while the economy […]
Trusts are essential to estate planning, regardless of your financial means. After all, you do not have to be a millionaire to protect your family members and plan for their continual care after you are gone. With a trust, you can help ensure that your wishes are followed, and your assets are transferred to heirs […]
According to the Social Security Administration, Social Security retirement benefits replace, on average, 40 percent of an individual’s pre-retirement income. As a general rule, the longer you wait to begin claiming these benefits, the larger the monthly benefit you will ultimately receive. While this principle seems simple enough, the types of benefits and claiming strategies […]
Your income can come from various sources, including employment wages, business income, investment returns and even lottery winnings. As you receive money, it is important to recognize what you are required to report to the IRS and the amounts subject to federal taxes (and sometimes state and local taxes as well.) Understanding these concepts can […]
People spend a significant amount of time building their wealth and carefully creating trusts and mapping out an estate plan to protect and preserve their assets for future generations. Yet, when it comes time to naming a trustee to carry out their wishes under the terms of a trust, many people stumble. Making the right […]
Your income-tax liabilities for a particular year generally are set by the time the clock strikes midnight on December 31. However, there are some last-minute moves you can make in the New Year to reduce your tax bill before the individual income tax filing and payment deadlines in April. Max Out Retirement Savings Opportunities You […]
Trusts can play a critical role in helping individuals protect their wealth and ensure the efficient and private transfer of assets to beneficiaries after their passing. However, because the depth and breadth of different trust instruments are so vast, individuals must carefully structure their trusts to meet their unique needs and goals. A trust is […]
One of the most critical yet often forgotten steps in estate planning is preparing a surviving spouse to take over a family’s financial affairs. Even if you checked off all the boxes on your estate-planning to-do list, creating a will, properly titling accounts, naming beneficiaries and structuring assets for tax efficiency, your plan may fail […]
When second and third marriages result in the blending of two families, a complicated financial picture may emerge. Couples entering a second or third marriage bring with them ex-spouses, children from previous relationships and financial responsibilities, assets and liabilities that may carry deep emotional attachments. Addressing these delicate issues from the onset will help newly […]
Trusts have become an increasingly popular estate planning tool among individuals at all income levels who want to avoid probate and ensure the quick and private transfer of assets to their loved ones upon their death. This level of control complements the use of a will and provides users with the added peace of mind […]