06

Mar

What Is the Last Surviving Spouse Rule?

Estate planning can be a significant part of successful financial management, especially for married couples. One key consideration is minimizing estate taxes, which can substantially affect the distribution of money and property to a married couple’s loved ones. What Are Gift...

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06

Mar

Watch Out for Stolen Items in Your Loved One’s Estate

Your family member went through a meticulous estate planning process to organize and distribute money and property for the benefit of their loved ones, including you. But you may suspect that some of the high-value items in their estate originated as stolen property. The possibi...

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06

Mar

Celebrating International LEGO Day

Mark your calendars: January 28 is International LEGO day, which celebrates the date when the patent for the globally famous plastic brick system was filed. Since the 1940s, people have been creating their own worlds, brick by brick, with LEGOs. With an estate plan, you can help...

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Categories: Estate Planning Trusts


06

Mar

I’m a Survivor… and Now I Have my Own Trust?

Many married couples share almost everything, including finances. This may be reflected in their estate plan by using one joint living trust instead of two separate trusts. Separate trusts can provide greater flexibility, but a joint trust can be structured so that when one spou...

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25

Mar

What Is Not Taxable Today Might Be Taxable Tomorrow

Counting Down to 2026: Will We Keep the $10 Million Estate Tax Exemption? The year 2026 is fast approaching, and it brings substantial changes to discuss with your clients regarding estate taxes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced a significant increase in the federal es...

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Category: Advisors


06

Mar

Why You Might Have an Estate Tax Issue Soon

The Countdown Begins: Will we keep the $10 Million Exemption? The year 2026 is quickly approaching, bringing substantial changes that may affect your estate tax situation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017 significantly increased the federal estate tax exemption to $10 mil...

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06

Mar

Should You Share Your Estate Planning Details With Loved Ones?

When you decide to create a comprehensive estate plan, there are many things to consider. One is whether to tell your loved ones about your plan and how much information to share with them. Estate planning can be a complex and sensitive matter, so your choice may depend on your u...

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Categories: Estate Planning Trusts


06

Mar

Irrevocable Woes (3/3)

While many wines get better with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you are the beneficiary of a trust created by your great-grandfather over 70 years ago, and that trust no longer makes sense. Or maybe you created an irrevocable trust over 20 years a...

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Category: Trusts


06

Mar

Irrevocable Woes (2/3)

5 Good Reasons to Decant a TrustToday, many estate plans contain an irrevocable trust that will continue for the benefit of a spouse's lifetime and then continue for the benefit of several generations. Because trusts like these are designed to span multiple decades, it is...

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Category: Trusts


06

Mar

Irrevocable Woes (1/3)

3 Examples of When an Irrevocable Trust Can (and Should) Be ModifiedDid you know that irrevocable trusts can be modified? If you did not, you are not alone. The name lends itself to that very misconception. However, the truth is that changes in laws, family, trustees, and financ...

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Category: Trusts