3 08, 2021

Nursing Homes Grapple with Whether to Force Staff to Get Vaccinated

2021-08-03T11:57:55-04:00August 3rd, 2021|

As COVID-19 cases start to rise again due to the highly contagious Delta variant, nursing homes are considering requiring staff members to be vaccinated. Only 59 percent of nursing home staff are partially or fully vaccinated nationwide, and the percentages [...]

26 07, 2021

Using a Minority Valuation Discount to Reduce Estate Taxes

2021-07-25T11:20:08-04:00July 26th, 2021|

While the current estate tax exemption is quite high, a closely held family business may put your estate over the limit. Careful planning is necessary to lower or completely avoid the tax, and minority valuation discounts are one strategy. Families [...]

23 07, 2021

Be Careful Not to Name Minors as Your Beneficiaries

2021-07-23T08:30:00-04:00July 23rd, 2021|

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve leaving assets directly to a minor.   [...]

19 07, 2021

You May Be Overestimating Your Social Security Benefits

2021-07-19T10:54:23-04:00July 19th, 2021|

Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement.  Researchers from the University of Michigan studied the expectations of [...]

5 07, 2021

Why Everyone Should Have an Estate Plan

2021-07-05T08:21:44-04:00July 5th, 2021|

Do you have a will? A durable power of attorney? A health care proxy? If so, no reason to read on. If not, why not? Failure to create an estate plan risks causing discord in your family for generations to [...]

2 07, 2021

The Need for Medicaid Planning

2021-07-02T09:13:34-04:00July 2nd, 2021|

One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial price. Careful planning can help ease the [...]

28 06, 2021

Passing Assets to Grandchildren Through a Generation-Skipping Trust

2021-06-28T10:56:29-04:00June 28th, 2021|

Passing assets to your grandchildren can be a great way to ensure their future is provided for, and a generation-skipping trust can help you accomplish this goal while reducing estate taxes and also providing for your children.   A generation-skipping [...]

21 06, 2021

What Is a Directed Trust and What Are Its Benefits?

2021-06-21T09:34:36-04:00June 21st, 2021|

Directed trusts can be a useful estate planning tool, allowing you to place your family’s assets in a trust but benefit from the expertise of an advisor who knows more about the handling of certain trust functions than you may.  [...]