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A new tax law isn’t the only reason to revisit your estate plan. The stock market and interest rate changes can alter the effects of many estate plans, often without their creators knowing the consequences. Here’s a guide to how changes in the stock market might affect your estate plan. As you know, the values […]
No matter what your net worth is, an estate plan is always worth putting into place. It’s a legally binding document that spells out who gets your assets… It offers ways to limit the tax burden on your estate… And it helps your loved ones from having to deal with too many administrative nightmares after […]
Most people, especially those with at least modest wealth, have engaged in some Estate Planning. Yet few people have complete plans. More likely than not, your estate plan is going to have gaps. There are plenty of anecdotes to support the statement, but there is also concrete evidence. I regularly see surveys of either estate […]
In Part 1 of this article I talked about the importance of having a Financial Emergency Kit, along with a few of its essential elements. So this week, let’s continue the discussion and review the other important elements that make up your Financial Emergency Kit, starting with: A letter of instruction, which can be valuable […]
Many people think they have estate plans… but oftentimes it turns out they really don’t. I’m not talking about those who haven’t done any planning and don’t even have a basic will. I’m talking about people who have taken action on their estate plans — and yet have plans that are woefully incomplete. You see, […]
In last week’s story, we reviewed the major potential “surrogates” in estate plans (the agents, trustees, executors, and others). Today we offer some pointers for reducing problems you may face with surrogate designations. Know all the surrogates you designated Review financial accounts, insurance policies, and estate planning documents to be sure you know who currently […]
With interest rates rising (and expected to keep rising), it’s important to understand any effects on your retirement and estate. In our last issue, we reviewed three major estate planning strategies affected by rate changes. Here’s a look at some additional techniques worth checking out… Charitable lead annuity trust (CLAT) The CLAT is sort of the […]
It still comes as a surprise to so many retirees… The outcome of key estate planning strategies often hinges on fluctuations in interest rates. So clearly, changes in rates should sway the choice, or timing, of these strategies. Some estate planning strategies generate more benefits when interest rates are low, while others provide more benefits […]
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