In an era of uncertainty, you can count on one thing: Time marches on. While you can't beat Father Time, you can prepare for these age-related tax and financial planning milestones as you and your loved ones grow older. Don't Overlook Estate Planning Regardless of age, almost all adults should do at least some estate planning — though few people are currently exposed to the federal … [Read more...] about Age-Related Tax and Financial Planning Milestones
The Secure Act – 2020 New Law Affecting Qualified Plans Payable to a Trust
By: Greg Reese, President & CEO, AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, better known as the SECURE Act, was signed into law on Friday, December 20, 2019 and became effective as of January 1, 2020. For purposes of this article, traditional IRAs and employer tax deferred accounts such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457s will all be referred … [Read more...] about The Secure Act – 2020 New Law Affecting Qualified Plans Payable to a Trust
Getting Married Again? Revisit Your Estate Plan
You can expect your life to change in significant ways when you marry for a second (or subsequent) time. As with all major life events, marriage calls for an estate plan review. Even if you removed your former spouse's name from estate documents when you were first divorced or widowed, you'll want to review your will, trusts, health care directives, powers of attorney and other estate … [Read more...] about Getting Married Again? Revisit Your Estate Plan
AmeriEstate: Take on Trust
We are all about celebrating life here in Costa Mesa. But tending to our end-of-life affairs? Um, raincheck! It’s hard enough to wrap our heads around the inevitable, much less our wallets. Making financial decisions now – in preparation for old age and beyond – is an issue we’d rather avoid completely, thank you very much. That’s a common, and very human, response to the topic … [Read more...] about AmeriEstate: Take on Trust
Bad News About Self-Created Intangibles
Certain self-created intangible assets no longer qualify as capital assets under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As a result, these assets no longer qualify for preferential long-term capital gain tax rates when sold in 2018 and beyond. Instead, gains from selling affected intangible assets are taxed at higher ordinary income rates. Affected Taxpayers and … [Read more...] about Bad News About Self-Created Intangibles
Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Rich and Famous
Nearly everyone should consider updating his or her estate plan. This is smart advice even if you're not currently exposed to the federal estate tax. Year end can be a convenient time to reflect on major life changes and plan for the future, including devising strategies to minimize taxes. Reasons to Review Your Plans For 2019, the unified federal estate and gift tax exemption is $11.4 … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Rich and Famous
Your AmeriEstate Living Trust Provides Protection for and Appointed Access to Your Digital Assets
Estate Planning and Legislation Related to Digital Assets by Greg Reese, President & CEO AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. Traditionally, when we think about the administration of a decedent’s estate, we typically envision a process that focuses on the individual’s tangible personal property and belongings, financial assets, business interests, and real estate. However, in the … [Read more...] about Your AmeriEstate Living Trust Provides Protection for and Appointed Access to Your Digital Assets
What Type of Living Trust Should I Have?
Which is the right Trust for you and your family? One of the key goals of estate and Trust planning is to avoid federal estate taxes. Careful estate planning can eliminate a significant estate tax burden for surviving spouses and their beneficiaries. Any of the Trusts below can be useful tools in preserving an estate's assets. But which Living Trust is right for you? Credit Shelter Trusts (A/B … [Read more...] about What Type of Living Trust Should I Have?
Another Massive Data Breach: How to Help Protect Yourself
The news of another massive online data breach may make you feel powerless to safeguard your financial privacy. But you can take some concrete steps to protect yourself in the aftermath of the recent Capital One case, as well as other breaches. "If you needed yet another nudge to start keeping an eye on your credit report to protect against identity theft, Capital One has delivered it," … [Read more...] about Another Massive Data Breach: How to Help Protect Yourself
Digital Addiction in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
The powerful draw of social media, messaging, Internet browsing and related activities on smartphones is hard for many people to resist. As with forms of chemical dependency (alcoholism, for example) the boundary between excessive digital activity and digital activity that's clinically disabling is complex. It revolves around the extent to which the activity impairs a person's ability to … [Read more...] about Digital Addiction in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
