25

Mar

Income Tax Planning with Alaska Community Property Trusts

he Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) provides substantial income and estate tax benefits to the married residents of the nine “community property” states. A tenth state - Alaska – allows married couples to opt in to the community property regime an...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Income Tax Planning: What Estate Planners Need to Know

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (which became law on January 2, 2013) made permanent the temporary estate/gift/generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions established in December 2010, increased the rate on non-exempt estates/gifts/generation-skipping transfers to 40% an...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Why Estate Planning Is Still Important

With the federal gift and estate tax exemption currently at $5. 25 million per person ($10. 5 million for married couples), some clients and potential clients with “smaller” estates may wonder if they need any estate planning. But there are many reasons to do estate pla...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Including Life Expectancy and Health Care Costs in Retirement Planning

The collision between economics and demographics is increasing client concerns about running out of money in retirement. Defined benefit plans are pretty much a thing of the past, and people are living longer. Clients need income that is sustainable and that they will not outlive...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Planning for Blended-Families: Part I: Intake Process

The “blended family” comprises a fast-growing segment of US households. Whether an attorney or investment advisor, fine-tune your intake or initial interview process to determine the desirability of representing a blended-family client, assess the accepted client to d...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Planning for Blended Families: Part II: 3-Step Counseling Strategy for Blended Families

It is vital for each member of the advisory team to understand the roles of the other members in meeting their client's needs. Therefore, in this issue of The Wealth Counselor, we will focus on how the estate planning attorney uses the initial interview in a blended-family...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Identifying Hidden Financial Risks Creates Sales Demand

The world changes; clients' circumstances change; motivations and interests change. As these changes occur—often gradually—“hidden” risks emerge that can significantly deteriorate future wealth if left unattended. By “hidden” risks, we me...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Trusts Solve Client Needs and Add Value to Wealth Plans

Some think that trusts are used only for end-of-life planning. Trusts, however, are like wrenches: they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, each particularly suited to a particular need. Some are for wealth accumulation while others are for wealth preservation, and still...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Building Creative and Flexible Wealth and Estate Planning Solutions for Your Clients in 2014

The signing of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“ATRA”) on January 2, 2013, certainly marked a transition for wealth and estate planning professionals and their clients. Before ATRA, planning was often dominated by the volatility and uncertainty of the federa...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Three Simple Ways to Sell Complex Solutions

When it comes to financial and wealth planning issues, more often than not, people go to a professional they trust. They may be working with a financial planner, CPA, agent, or banker, but when trust and estate concerns arise, clients need their trusted advisor to listen to their...

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Category: Advisors