03

Aug

Tax Tips to take to Minimize income and estate taxes in Trusts and Estate Planning

1. Consider distributions to beneficiaries Because the maximum ordinary tax rate (39. 6 percent) and the net investment income tax (3. 8 percent) apply to trust income at a much lower threshold than they do for individuals, trustees of discretionary trusts should consider distribu...

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03

Aug

Steven Allen Resigning to Begin New Clerkship

With a combination of sadness and pride, Strauss Attorneys PLLC. , announces that its estate controversy litigator, Steven J. Allen, will resign on July 31, 2014 to begin a clerkship in Mobile, Alabama with Senior United States Circuit Judge Emmitt R. Cox, United States Court of A...

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03

Aug

The Three-Year Review and The Three-Year Plan

Review your life's circumstances from three years ago. Think about what you knew and what you didn’t know about managing your wealth. What were the top five lessons you learned? How have your views about money and wealth changed? Given all that, where do you want to b...

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03

Aug

What the New Tax Law Means to You

As you probably know, Congress avoided the so-called fiscal cliff by passing – at the 11th hour – the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the 2012 Tax Act), signed into law by the President on January 2, 2013. The 2012 Tax Act makes several important revisions to the tax code t...

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03

Aug

Most of us are Guilty of Wasting Money

Most of us are guilty of wasting money. We pay too much for convenience. We don't comparison shop or look for bargains. We waste money staying in the same routines-shopping at the same stores, eating at the same places, using the same services. We may not even realize...

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03

Aug

Charitable Remainder Trusts

The Charitable Remainder Trust (“`CRT”) of trust specifically authorized by the Internal Revenue Code. These irrevocable trusts permit you to transfer ownership of assets to the trust in exchange for an income stream to the person or persons of your choice (typically you, your sp...

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03

Aug

New FDIC Rules: Are You Protected?

With the rash of bank failures, you may wonder whether - and to what extent – the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) will protect your bank accounts. Fortunately, new rules from the FDIC clarify how you can ensure maximum FDIC insurance coverage. You may nee...

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03

Aug

Planning You Should Consider Now

These are difficult times. The “experts” now acknowledge that we are in a recession - and that we have been so for some time. Consumer confidence is low. As a result many of us are concerned, wondering what planning we should do now, if any. For the vast majorit...

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03

Aug

The Debt Ceiling Debate and the Estate Tax, Pets, Guns, and Alimony…What Could They Possibly Have in Common?

The Debt Ceiling Debate and the Estate Tax, Pets, Guns, and Alimony…What Could They Possibly Have in Common? Actually, they do have something very important in common: your estate plan. In this issue of The Wealth Advisor, we will look at what the recent debt ceiling debat...

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03

Aug

An Introduction to Asset Protection Planning

Almost everyone knows someone who had a problem and lost everything. Claims can, for example, allege professional liability, responsibility for a car accident, or unpaid creditors. Whether meritorious or not, defense can be enormously costly. With our litigious society, with limi...

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