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Trusts are part of more and more estate plans. Often trusts are used to hold and manage assets for younger generations. Sometimes the beneficiaries are too young or inexperienced to manage the assets. Other times the older generation is afraid the younger generation might not resist the temptation to spend direct gifts of the property. […]
Few events disrupt an estate plan and family harmony more than a will contest or other challenge to the plan. The specific challenges might not be predictable, because they often are triggered more by emotions than finances. But the risk of a contest almost always is present, and estate owners should know that they can […]
Few people know that it is possible to take your money out of a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan and continue working for the employer. The move clearly is allowed in the tax law, and many employer plans allow it. Some employees should consider taking this step. The action is known by pension experts […]
Required minimum distributions from IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are a source of frequent mistakes. This is an area in which you want to avoid mistakes, because the penalty is steep. The IRS changed the rules for RMDs in 2001 and 2002. There still are a lot of publications and web sites with the […]
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IRAs are among the most valuable assets many Americans own, and protecting those assets from creditors and lawsuits can be a concern. This can be a tricky proposition, because IRAs are in a netherworld of asset protection. Protection for IRAs in federal bankruptcy court was improved by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act […]
One of the least understood and most confusing aspects of Social Security benefits are the spousal benefits. Much attention is devoted to the best time for an individual to begin receiving retirement benefits, but how that choice can affect the benefits of a spouse receives much less attention. In this visit we primarily are going […]
A market drop often creates opportunities in Estate Planning. The ongoing decline in housing prices creates such an opportunity. Estate and gift taxes are imposed on the value of property. It follows that a decline in market value means property can be transferred at a lower cost. Those who own estates worth more than $2 […]
Fixed annuities or immediate annuities can make a portfolio last longer. They can provide steady income for life and smooth the portfolio; it won’t be as subject to fluctuations from market activity. Annuities are not all the same. Yields and rates of return vary considerably. Insurers have different investment experience, life expectancy assumptions, and expenses. […]
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