estate planning
How to Help Your Family Wealth Last for Generations
How to Help Your Family Wealth Last for Generations
Creating generational wealth takes careful planning and thoughtful sharing of intentions, plus the right investment vehicle.
November 24, 2020
Joint Trusts or Separate Trusts: Advice for Married Couples
Joint Trusts or Separate Trusts: Advice for Married Couples
Unless you have a specific need for separate trusts, it’s usually best to avoid the headaches they cause and go with a joint trust instead. Here’s why…
November 20, 2020
Should I Start Gifting Money (or Even My House) to My Kids?
Should I Start Gifting Money (or Even My House) to My Kids?
As for giving away your money while you’re still alive to see it go to the ones you love, there are pros and cons to think about. But when it comes to…
November 11, 2020
Making a Gift This Year? Some Key Questions to Consider
Making a Gift This Year? Some Key Questions to Consider
Gifting sounds pretty simple, but there are many ways to do it, and several tax ramifications to be aware of as well.
October 30, 2020
Legacy Planning: Create a Lasting Legacy
Legacy Planning: Create a Lasting Legacy
Estate plans are about more than just who gets what. To ensure a lasting legacy, you need to get your documents in order and have a clear plan for how…
October 30, 2020
Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2021
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2021
As the estate tax exemption amount increases, fewer estates are subject to the federal tax.
October 27, 2020
Once You Create a Living Trust, Don’t Forget to Fund It
Once You Create a Living Trust, Don’t Forget to Fund It
Your real estate holdings, life insurance, bank accounts and retirement savings won’t magically flow into your trust. You have to put them there. Fail…
October 26, 2020
18 States With Scary Death Taxes
18 States With Scary Death Taxes
Federal estate taxes are no longer a problem for all but the extremely wealthy, but several states have their own estates taxes and inheritances taxes…
October 19, 2020
Don’t Let These Too Common Estate Planning Excuses Stand in Your Way
Don’t Let These Too Common Estate Planning Excuses Stand in Your Way
The top reasons why people don’t have an estate plan may sound pretty familiar to you. Here’s what they are, and what’s at stake.
October 16, 2020
Federal Estate Tax Exemption Is Set to Expire – Are You Prepared?
Federal Estate Tax Exemption Is Set to Expire – Are You Prepared?
Maybe not tomorrow, but the sunset of our historically high estate tax exemptions is coming — and with the election on its way, it could be sooner tha…
October 14, 2020
Retirees' Guide to Giving for the Greatest Impact
Retirees' Guide to Giving for the Greatest Impact
The need for charity is climbing, particularly to combat the rising poverty, hunger and homelessness from the pandemic’s economic fallout. Here's how …
October 7, 2020
Now’s the Time for Estate Tax Planning
Now’s the Time for Estate Tax Planning
There's a wealth of opportunity with IRS interest rates at an all-time low and the federal estate and gift tax exemption at an historic high.
September 18, 2020
A Step-by-Step Guide to Being an Estate Executor
A Step-by-Step Guide to Being an Estate Executor
Whether you’re planning ahead for your own heirs or have been asked to serve as an executor of an estate for someone else, it pays to understand what …
September 17, 2020
5 Unfortunate Estate Planning Myths You Probably Believe
5 Unfortunate Estate Planning Myths You Probably Believe
These all-too-common misconceptions can steer your estate plans in the wrong direction right from the start. Here’s how to overcome them and tips to b…
September 17, 2020
Take Charge of Your Portfolios, Ladies
Take Charge of Your Portfolios, Ladies
When it comes to investing, too many women learn the hard way that disengaging is a mistake.
September 14, 2020
Guidance on Choosing the Right Trustee (or Trustees) for Your Estate
Guidance on Choosing the Right Trustee (or Trustees) for Your Estate
From a spouse or child to a bank or lawyer, you have several options to consider when selecting a trustee for your estate. To help make your decision,…
September 8, 2020
How Do We Protect the Next Generation from Blowing Our Money?
How Do We Protect the Next Generation from Blowing Our Money?
Take these two steps to help ensure your legacy isn’t squandered.
August 20, 2020
Pre-Election Estate Planning Moves for High-Net-Worth Families
Pre-Election Estate Planning Moves for High-Net-Worth Families
Why wait? A variety of trusts — from SLATs to BDITs, GRATs and more — can help you be proactive in protecting your wealth.
August 16, 2020
An Advocate for End-of-Life Care
An Advocate for End-of-Life Care
Without a health care proxy, your written instructions for future medical care may not be carried out if you become incapacitated.
August 14, 2020
These 2 Words Could Send Your Retirement Money to the Wrong Beneficiary
These 2 Words Could Send Your Retirement Money to the Wrong Beneficiary
"Per stirpes" vs. "per capita." Making the wrong choice could cause an estate planning disaster.
July 30, 2020
The (Only) 3 Reasons You Should Have an Irrevocable Trust
The (Only) 3 Reasons You Should Have an Irrevocable Trust
Should you really agree to give up control of your assets? There are some good reasons to get this type of trust, but there are some major drawbacks a…
July 27, 2020
Exit Strategies for Charitable Remainder Trusts
Exit Strategies for Charitable Remainder Trusts
CRTs offer tax and income-planning flexibility as life changes over the years.
July 1, 2020
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2020 Tax Year
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2020 Tax Year
Americans are facing a long list of tax changes for the 2020 tax year...and it's never too early to start thinking about next year's return.
June 22, 2020
Top 10 Estate Planning Tips in a Time of Coronavirus
Top 10 Estate Planning Tips in a Time of Coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic has many people finally taking action to fill out advance health care directives, wills and powers of attorney. Here are some ti…
June 16, 2020
Pass Along Life Lessons With an Ethical Will
Pass Along Life Lessons With an Ethical Will
Create a legacy letter to communicate values, experiences and life lessons to your family.
June 9, 2020