Who Are the Key Players in Your Will—and What Makes Someone the Right Choice?
Choosing individuals to be key players in your will is one of the most personal—and important—parts of estate planning. Here’s a clear breakdown of the roles and the characteristics you should look for when deciding whom to appoint. Executor What they do: The Executor...
Why You Should Consider Long-Term Care Coverage
What would happen if you needed help with daily activities or ongoing care? Do you want to stay in your own home, or move somewhere that offers support? Research shows that 84% of people prefer to receive care at home — surrounded by familiar faces and comfortable...
Beware the New York Estate Tax Cliff
When Congress doubled the Federal Estate Tax exemption in 2018, many Americans breathed a sigh of relief — couples could pass over $20 million tax-free at the federal level. Even though the 2026 Federal Tax Exemption will allow couples to pass over $30M, anyone with...
Remarrying in Retirement: Estate & Financial Planning Considerations
Remarrying during retirement is a joyful milestone, but it also brings with it a host of financial, tax, and legal questions that deserve careful attention. Unlike earlier in life, when careers are still developing and children may be young, later-life marriages...
Best Practices in Bookkeeping for Success
Bookkeeping is the backbone of any successful business, providing the foundation for sound financial decision-making. Effective bookkeeping not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements but also empowers businesses to track, manage, and optimize their...
Protecting Your Legacy with Life and Long-Term Care Insurance
Leaving a legacy is about more than money. It’s about protecting your family, easing future burdens, and making sure the results of your hard work live on. Two important tools that can help are life insurance and long-term care insurance (LTC). Life Insurance:...
Buy-Sell Agreements Will Result in Catastrophic Estate Tax under the Supreme Court’s Ruling: How You Can Protect Your Legacy
Overview For decades, companies have used corporately owned ("entity owned") life insurance to "buy-out" the share of a deceased partner. The insurance policy was not viewed as an asset of the company and, therefore, did not affect the estate's valuation for estate...
How Does the “Big Beautiful Bill” Impact My Estate Planning?
The recently enacted federal tax legislation, informally referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill”, has significantly expanded the federal estate tax exemption. Because of this, traditional tools designed to reduce estate taxes such as credit shelter trusts may...
Why Estate Planning is Essential for Everyone
Estate planning is often misunderstood as something only the wealthy need to worry about. However, it is essential for everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Here's why: Protect Your Assets: Estate planning ensures that your assets are distributed...
Important Tax Changes to Know for 2024
As we enter the new tax year, it's crucial to stay informed about significant tax changes that may impact your financial planning. Here are some important tax updates for 2024: Increased Standard Deduction: The standard deduction has been increased for all filing...