estate planning
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.
November 22, 2021
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2022
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2022
As the estate tax exemption amount increases, fewer estates are subject to the federal tax.
November 10, 2021
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…
November 10, 2021
A Plan for Rover After You're Gone
A Plan for Rover After You're Gone
An owner's illness or death is a common reason for a pet being given up. However, here are some steps you can take to ensure your beloved companion is…
November 9, 2021
Someone Needs to Know Where Your Money Is
Someone Needs to Know Where Your Money Is
Even those who have saved and invested well may not be sharing their financial information with a spouse or loved one. It’s time to do that now.
November 1, 2021
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Minimizing Taxes When You Inherit Money
Minimizing Taxes When You Inherit Money
Some inherited assets are tax-friendly, but under new rules, others come with a hefty tax bill. We help you get the most out of a legacy.
October 29, 2021
What to Do When You’re the Executor
What to Do When You’re the Executor
You’ll likely need professional help, including an attorney with estate-planning experience, a tax pro and a financial adviser.
October 29, 2021
Estate Planning for Pets: How to Protect Your Furry Friends
Estate Planning for Pets: How to Protect Your Furry Friends
Where would your pets go if something happened to you? Who would take care of them, and how would their costs be covered? A pet trust could be the ans…
October 25, 2021
Oh Unlucky Heirs with Tim Steffen
Oh Unlucky Heirs with Tim Steffen
Just because you’re in the will doesn’t mean you’re sitting pretty. Also: Does October deserve its scary reputation for stocks?
October 5, 2021
Smart Gifting Using Retirement Assets
Smart Gifting Using Retirement Assets
Before you think about donating to charity, consider the source. Should you gift money from your stock portfolio or your traditional IRA or 401(k)? Wh…
October 4, 2021
A Smart Option for Transferring Wealth Through Generations: The Dynasty Trust
A Smart Option for Transferring Wealth Through Generations: The Dynasty Trust
If you want to protect your family’s legacy from unnecessary taxes, divorce and creditors over the course of many generations, a dynasty trust could b…
October 2, 2021
11 Best Things to Keep in a Safe Deposit Box
11 Best Things to Keep in a Safe Deposit Box
These valuables and documents, along with some items you hold dear, should be stored securely at your bank.
September 25, 2021
9 Things You’ll Regret Keeping in a Safe Deposit Box
9 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.
September 24, 2021
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2021 Tax Year
Tax Changes and Key Amounts for the 2021 Tax Year
Americans are facing a long list of tax changes for the 2021 tax year. Smart taxpayers will start planning for them now.
September 23, 2021
5 of the Worst Assets to Inherit
5 of the Worst Assets to Inherit
If you’re planning an inheritance, be careful about leaving these assets to a loved one. They may create more trouble than they’re worth.
September 14, 2021
What a Beneficiary Controlled Trust Can Do to Protect Your Legacy After You Are Gone
What a Beneficiary Controlled Trust Can Do to Protect Your Legacy After You Are Gone
Life is messy sometimes. Divorce, bankruptcies and lawsuits happen, and they can potentially wipe out the inheritance you’ve carefully set aside for y…
September 13, 2021
You Could Accidentally Disinherit Your Children Unless You Follow This Obscure Rule
You Could Accidentally Disinherit Your Children Unless You Follow This Obscure Rule
True story: A father with three kids put them down as the beneficiaries of his nearly $250,000 401(k) account – but when he died, they got nothing. It…
September 10, 2021
It’s Never Too Late for a Family Meeting – Here’s How to Do Them Well
It’s Never Too Late for a Family Meeting – Here’s How to Do Them Well
When there is a large inheritance at stake (or even when there isn’t), it’s a great idea to get everyone on the same page. A family meeting can make t…
September 1, 2021
4 Reasons Families Fail When Transferring Wealth
4 Reasons Families Fail When Transferring Wealth
Several things can go wrong when a family tries to pass its wealth down to the next generation. To keep your own wealth transfer on track, keep these …
August 29, 2021
How Does a Spendthrift Trust Differ from an Asset Protection Trust?
How Does a Spendthrift Trust Differ from an Asset Protection Trust?
Spendthrift trusts include similar protections to an asset protection trust and are more widely respected in other states, but they also come with the…
August 6, 2021
2021 Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?
2021 Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?
Every so often, it’s smart to methodically go through your estate planning documents and see if any tweaks are needed. Here’s a checklist to guide you…
July 28, 2021
What to Consider When Deciding Between a Revocable and Irrevocable Trust
What to Consider When Deciding Between a Revocable and Irrevocable Trust
There are important differences between the two types of trusts, including the amount of control you'll have over your assets.
July 14, 2021
Britney Spears’ Sad Song … Warning: This Could Happen to You
Britney Spears’ Sad Song … Warning: This Could Happen to You
Being forced into conservatorship and losing all control over your life isn’t something that just happens in movies, like Netflix’s dark drama "I Care…
July 14, 2021
Myth: Life Insurance is NOT Taxable
Myth: Life Insurance is NOT Taxable
The reality is that life insurance is treated as an asset in your estate. And if the payout pushes your estate past federal or state estate tax exclus…
July 12, 2021
Smart Ways to Handle an Inheritance
Smart Ways to Handle an Inheritance
A bequest could change your life, but don’t quit your day job.
June 30, 2021