estate planning
Create a Special Needs Plan That Goes the Distance
Create a Special Needs Plan That Goes the Distance
Getting the services needed for a person with a disability can take some careful planning, considering some important benefits programs limit the asse…
August 9, 2022
Pot Trusts: Why They’re the Fairest (Trust Structure) of Them All
Pot Trusts: Why They’re the Fairest (Trust Structure) of Them All
When it comes to estate planning, being fair and being equal are not necessarily the same thing. A pot trust can help bridge the gap between the two o…
August 8, 2022
Should You Treat Your Kids Equally in Your Will? 12 Financial Planners Weigh In
Should You Treat Your Kids Equally in Your Will? 12 Financial Planners Weigh In
What's the "fair" way to divide an estate? Many parents think they should divvy things evenly among their children ... but that can backfire. So what'…
August 1, 2022
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 estate taxes and inheritance taxes t…
July 29, 2022
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2022 Tax Year
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2022 Tax Year
Americans are facing a long list of tax changes for the 2022 tax year. Smart taxpayers will start planning for them now.
July 19, 2022
Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Guardianships Should Be a Last Resort – Consider These Less Draconian Options First
Guardianships Should Be a Last Resort – Consider These Less Draconian Options First
We all want to protect vulnerable people from harm, but taking away all their rights usually isn’t the place to start. Instead, there are several less…
July 7, 2022
Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney Now That I Am a Widow?
Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney Now That I Am a Widow?
Many estates are simple enough where no help is needed, but there are several situations where anyone would be much better off getting some profession…
July 5, 2022
How to Use Your Estate Plan to Save on Taxes While You’re Still Alive!
How to Use Your Estate Plan to Save on Taxes While You’re Still Alive!
Upstream basis planning is a trust strategy that can save wealthy people on their capital gains taxes and income taxes associated with highly apprecia…
July 3, 2022
Updating Your Estate Plan? Don’t Make These Top Mistakes
Updating Your Estate Plan? Don’t Make These Top Mistakes
You’re making the effort to stay on top of your estate plan. That’s great! Now don’t mess it up. Here is how to avoid five of the biggest blunders peo…
June 30, 2022
33 States with No Estate Taxes or Inheritance Taxes
33 States with No Estate Taxes or Inheritance Taxes
Even with the federal exemption from death taxes raised, retirees should pay more attention to estate taxes and inheritance taxes levied by states.
June 23, 2022
Marriage: When You’d Rather Not
Marriage: When You’d Rather Not
Same-sex couples planning for a long-term commitment need to have the right estate planning documents in place, whether they are married or not.
June 16, 2022
Remember, You’re Worth More Than Your Money
Remember, You’re Worth More Than Your Money
When it comes to estate planning, it’s time for us all to look beyond the money … with an ethical will.
June 11, 2022
Estate Planning: A Special Trust for Special Needs Children
Estate Planning: A Special Trust for Special Needs Children
Special needs trusts can help fund quality-of-life improvements for the beneficiary, such as a phone, a trip or a private room in a group care facilit…
June 8, 2022
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…
June 7, 2022
How Amy Schumer’s Openness on Trichotillomania Made Me Inject Purpose into My Estate Plan
How Amy Schumer’s Openness on Trichotillomania Made Me Inject Purpose into My Estate Plan
If a charity holds a special place in your heart, here are three practical ways you can support it through your estate plan.
June 7, 2022
Beneficiary Designations: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Beneficiary Designations: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
You may be surprised at how easy it is to make an expensive mistake with your beneficiary designations. Here's how to help avoid the five most common …
June 6, 2022
Don’t Want to Leave Money to Your Kids? You’ll Probably Change Your Mind.
Don’t Want to Leave Money to Your Kids? You’ll Probably Change Your Mind.
How much is too much to leave your children? You may be surprised.
May 26, 2022
Things You’ll Regret Keeping in a Safe Deposit Box
Things You’ll Regret Keeping in a Safe Deposit Box
Locking up certain important documents and valuables in a bank vault could turn into a headache for you or your heirs.
May 18, 2022
4 Tax-Smart Ways to Share the Wealth with Kids
4 Tax-Smart Ways to Share the Wealth with Kids
Providing for future generations shouldn’t be (overly) taxing. To manage taxes as you pass down your assets, look into UTMAs, 529s, child IRAs and tru…
May 15, 2022
6 of the Worst Assets to Inherit
6 of the Worst Assets to Inherit
Leaving these assets to loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. How to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
May 11, 2022
Keeping Property in the Family with LLCs and Partnerships
Keeping Property in the Family with LLCs and Partnerships
Passing a farm, vacation home or other property down for generation after generation has its challenges. LLCs and partnerships can help.
April 29, 2022
Don’t Throw Away a $12.06M Estate Tax Exemption by Accident
Don’t Throw Away a $12.06M Estate Tax Exemption by Accident
Many married couples fall into the “portability trap.” They fail to file an IRS form after one spouse dies and accidentally forfeit a massive federal …
April 14, 2022
Estate Planning Lessons from My Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis
Estate Planning Lessons from My Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis
As an estate planning attorney, I know that advance medical directives are critical – but my experience with my mother deepened my conviction to help …
April 8, 2022
Does Your Estate Plan Call for More Than Just a Will?
Does Your Estate Plan Call for More Than Just a Will?
Everyone needs a will, but some people need more than that. To save on taxes and make for a smooth transition, they could really use a revocable trust…
April 4, 2022
What’s Your Investing Time Frame?
What’s Your Investing Time Frame?
It’s something you need to fully grasp to effectively pass down your wealth to the next generation (if you’re well off) – or avoid running out of mone…
March 29, 2022
When Do Living Trusts Make Sense?
When Do Living Trusts Make Sense?
A trust can solve a lot of problems. But like all tools, it can also be misused.
March 24, 2022