Fame and fortune don’t protect anyone from poor planning. When it comes to death and taxes, celebrities face the same rules the rest of us do—just on a much bigger, more public stage. Here are ten estate planning lessons straight from the headlines: #10 – No Will, No Control Both Aretha Franklin and Prince died…
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I love starting my day with a little time in the Word, and recently I was listening to a sermon that hit me right between the eyes. The pastor asked a simple but powerful question: Where are you getting your advice? It made me pause. Every day, we let different voices shape our thoughts and…
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Eeek… Just hearing the words “family meeting” can make you cringe, right? Most of us don’t have great memories of them. They’re usually called in response to conflict—especially when kids are involved—or to address topics no one really wants to talk about. And once the kids move out, these meetings seem to disappear altogether. But…
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If you are paralyzed (in this regard), there is good news. You are not alone! 68% of Americans do not have a valid Will. 63% of those making more than $80,000 per year say that “procrastination” is the reason they have not done any estate planning. Yet 52% of Americans over 55 say it would…
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Be forewarned. I am going to be candid here: Whatever excuse you just gave? It is just that—an excuse. First, it’s important to recognize that we all have dysfunctional families to some degree. Maybe you are facing substance or alcohol abuse, your kids are not getting along or there are others that don’t understand the…
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Too often money is looked and considered for just what it is: money. A financial plan focuses on numbers, targets, returns, risk, etc., with a lot of hype placed on the latest and greatest investments, and returns on your money. After all, almost everyone wants their money to grow and they want to protect it,…
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This is certainly a loaded question… and it’s meant to be. You might immediately think of the people you treasure, the things you love to do, the places you want to see, or the memories you have yet to make. There’s nothing wrong with a little mental wandering when you consider the question, but you…
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When you start your career in life planning and wealth management you realize every day is like drinking from a fire hose. As time goes on…it doesn’t really change. Unfortunately, there is ever increasing complexity that surrounds what seems to be the simplest of planning tools. IRAs, 401(k)s, and other like-kind retirement accounts are a…
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Just the idea of having a trust seems complicated…but is it? The truth is that not having a trust in certain situations creates significantly more complications than having one. Then again, that’s not always the case. So, let’s break it down and look under the hood. If you die with a Will most likely you…
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Can you hear it? It’s those two, ominous notes from the movie Jaws to let you know we are drawing nearer and nearer to the almost inevitable…the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This could mean that higher income taxes and estate taxes are headed your way. It’s important to…
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