IRAs have become ubiquitous components of estate plans. The SECURE Act of 2019 altered the landscape for IRAs significantly. Just when advisors began to get comfortable with the new 10-year rule, the United States Treasury Department promulgated proposed Treasury Regulations early in 2022 adding additional complexity to that rule by requiring annual distributions for a non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary of a participant who died after their Required Beginning Date. Once again, the SECURE Act … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know About SECURE Act 2.0
The Lessons from Lisa Marie
Regular readers of this blog often see articles regarding the latest celebrity whose death created a mess because their Estate Plan failed to properly protect the celebrity’s family and loved ones. It seems that an individual with fame and money could easily avoid that result; however, that’s not always the case. The fallout caused by inadequate Estate Plans of celebrities provides great lessons for Estate Planning practitioners and their clients because the drama unfolds on a public stage. … [Read more...] about The Lessons from Lisa Marie
The Sky Isn’t Falling
When we learned of the original provisions in the Build Back Better Act, many individuals panicked, rushing to complete Estate Planning or seeking to undo certain aspects of their estate plan. As the Build Back Better Act has evolved, many wondered if they should have waited before making significant changes to their estate plan. No matter what happens with the Build Back Better Act, an estate plan centered on long-term goals will serve you well. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Sky Isn’t Falling
Living in a Digital World and the Importance of Planning for Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has become increasingly popular as a form of investment in recent years. More and more established financial institutions recognize cryptocurrency and allow its use. As cryptocurrency becomes mainstream, it’s important to consider estate planning implications for holding this digital asset. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Living in a Digital World and the Importance of Planning for Cryptocurrency
How to Dispose of “Stuff”
Clients are often most concerned about how to dispose of their tangible personal property, i.e., their “stuff.” Often even wealthy clients are most concerned with the things around them rather than their financial accounts. What’s the best way to handle the “stuff”? Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about How to Dispose of “Stuff”
When Is a Trust Better Than a Will (Part 2)?
In our last post, we looked at three different reasons why you may want to use a trust instead of a will. We promised a second installment, and this is the conclusion of the two part series. Streamlined and Efficient Estate Administration A lot of people assume that the estate administration process is very simple and straightforward if you use a will as your primary vehicle of asset transfer. In reality, there are some rather burdensome steps that must be taken before the assets can be … [Read more...] about When Is a Trust Better Than a Will (Part 2)?
Coronavirus and Nursing Homes
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is spreading in the United States and across the globe. Social distancing and self-quarantine can help slow the spread. The virus is a particular threat to residents of nursing homes. Read on to learn more about the threat and how you can keep your loved ones safe. Read on to learn more … [Read more...] about Coronavirus and Nursing Homes
Economic Fallout from Coronavirus May Provide Opportunities
COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has been a challenge confronting countries around the world. While healthcare systems have fought the virus, economies have been hurt by the social distancing required to combat the virus. However, there may be an opportunity for those wishing to do certain types of Estate Planning. Read on to learn more. Read on to learn more … [Read more...] about Economic Fallout from Coronavirus May Provide Opportunities
The Importance of Communicating Your Plans
Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for those whom you leave behind. Specifically, this article will look at the importance of communicating your plans with your loved ones to avoid disputes after your death. The Importance of Communicating Your Plans … [Read more...] about The Importance of Communicating Your Plans
How Much is Too Much?
This article looks at the question of how much is too much to leave your children. Many people have pledged to give the majority of their wealth to charity. If you won’t leave all your assets to your children, the article provides resources for vetting worthwhile charities. How Much is Too Much? … [Read more...] about How Much is Too Much?
