Estate Planning Strategies
Found 73 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
Estate Planning Strategy: How to Transfer Real Estate to Family, Heirs and Beneficiaries
Some assets require special Estate Planning. One such asset is what I sometimes call heirloom real estate, or family real estate. This is a property that’s been in the family for a while and that you’d like to continue in family ownership. Heirloom real estate includes vacation homes or other second homes, farms, a longtime […]
How to Create an Estate Planning Strategy with an 8 Step Checklist – Part 2
Last week, we began our 8-point Estate Planning Checklist, including how to handle your will, and avoiding Probate. Today we’ll complete the checklist, starting with… Powers of attorney. You need these documents before you have a will, because you’re likely to become disabled or need help managing affairs before you pass away. There are two […]
Should You Put Your Estate Planning Strategy On Hold? (8-Point Checklist)
Tax reform proposals are slowly being developed in Congress, including changes in the estate tax. People are asking, “Should I delay my estate planning until the new law is clear?” We’ve been down this road before, and the answer is: You shouldn’t delay. Congress is looking at changing only the federal estate and gift taxes, […]
How to Avoid Having An Obsolete Estate Planning Strategy
An estate plan needs regular maintenance, and sometimes an overhaul. Otherwise, a great plan can become obsolete or flawed, or even a clunker. Much like many types of property, if an estate plan is neglected, time and outside forces can cause it to decay or break down. As much as we’d like to work on […]
How to Weed Outdated Assumptions from your Estate Planning Strategy
Is your estate plan based on some incorrect assumptions? Unfortunately, it probably is. A lot of changes occurred over the years, and they affect the underlying assumptions of many plans. Plus, some traditional estate planning assumptions weren’t valid in the first place. We know that, because we have better information now. Be sure that neither […]
Estate Planning Strategies for Navigating the Kiddie Tax
Shifting assets and income to your children and grandchildren can provide many benefits, including tax benefits. That’s why Congress set up hurdles to keep you from enjoying all the potential tax benefits. When planning gifts of investments to your loved ones, be aware of the kiddie tax. This tax was created in 1986 to reduce […]
How to Put Together Complete Estate Planning Documents and Strategies
Many people think they have estate plans but really don’t. I’m not talking about the many people who haven’t done any planning and don’t have even a basic will. I’m talking about people who have taken action on their estate plans and yet have plans that are woefully incomplete. There is more to a complete […]
Estate Planning Strategies for Navigating the Kiddie Tax
Shifting assets and income to your children and grandchildren can provide many benefits, including tax benefits must be past of your estate planning. That’s why Congress set up hurdles to keep you from enjoying all the potential tax benefits. When planning gifts of investments to your loved ones, be aware of the kiddie tax. This […]
