Yours, Mine, and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriage
If you are one of the many Americans who are in a second marriage, you may need to revisit your estate strategy.1 Unlike a typical first marriage, second marriages often require special consideration in order to address children from a prior marriage and the disposition of assets accumulated prior to the second marriage. Second Marriages […]
Are You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset?
The federal estate tax threshold rose to $27.22 million in 2024 for married couples and $13.61 million for individuals as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Like several TCJA provisions, the higher estate tax limit is due to sunset in 2025. Barring congressional action, the exemption amount will return to about $6.8 […]
3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families
Preparing your estate can be complicated, and if you’re a part of a blended family, estate decisions can be even more complex and nuanced. Blended families take on many forms but typically consist of couples with children from previous relationships. Here are a few case studies to help illustrate some of the challenges. Case Study […]
A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes
When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here is a checklist that you may find useful at such a time. First, […]
Managing the Risk of Outliving Your Money
“What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask some pre-retirees this question, “outliving my money” may be one of the top answers. In fact, 45% of workers say they fear outliving their savings and investments.1 Retirees face greater “longevity risk” today. The Census Bureau says that Americans typically retire around age 62 for women […]
Why Everyone Needs an Estate Strategy
4 Steps to Protecting a Child with Disabilities
Raising a child is expensive and can cost about a quarter of a million dollars, excluding college. For a child with special needs, that cost can more than double. If you’re the parent of a child with special needs, it’s vital to ensure your child will continue to be provided for after you’re gone. It […]
Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date
When an individual dies, the executor is faced with an important decision that has the potential to impact the taxes owed by the estate and its heirs. The executor will have the option of valuing the estate on the date of death, or alternately, on the six-month anniversary of death – the latter is, fittingly, […]
Succeeding at Business Succession
Family businesses account for 54% of private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 43% of family businesses have no formal succession plan. While those numbers may shock you, it is not surprising that many small business owners are consumed by the myriad responsibilities of running their businesses.1,2Nevertheless, owners ignore succession preparations at their peril and […]
Trends in Charitable Giving
According to the most recent report by Giving USA, Americans gave $499 billion to charity in 2022.1 Americans usually give to charity for two main reasons: to support a cause or organization they care about or to leave a legacy through their support. When giving to charitable organizations, some people elect to support through cash […]