What Is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)?
You’ve probably heard that life insurance can be a great way to provide for your loved ones, but what if there was a way to make sure that money is managed and protected exactly as you intend after your death? Enter the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or ILIT. While it might sound c …
Understanding RMDs on Inherited IRAs
An inherited IRA from a family member or friend can come with more than just unexpected funds; it may also come with potential major tax liability in the form of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Navigating inherited IRA RMD rules can be complex, but understanding the basics now can he …
To Give Now or Give Later: When Is the Right Time to Gift to Your Heirs?
You’re in a good position in your life. You’ve built up your wealth, perhaps from a successful business or working in corporate America. You might feel it’s time to start winding down and considering whether to transfer some of those assets to the next generation. The question then becomes …
Estate Planning Simplified: Understanding Wills & Trusts
While it can be easy for people to back-burner estate planning due to busy schedules or thinking they have plenty of time to get around to it, doing so can result in property and financial assets passing to unintended heirs in unintentional ways. Without the proper planning, your heirs coul …
Estate Planning Checklist
Are you one of the many Americans who don’t have an estate plan? No matter how few or how many assets you have, an estate plan can help you preserve your legacy and provide clarity to your surviving family. If you’re not sure where to begin, our estate planning checklist can help you get …
Roth IRA Conversions for High Earners: A Strategic Guide to Tax-Efficient Wealth Transfer
Let’s be honest: If you’re a high-income earner, you’ve likely mastered the art of building wealth, but the IRS seems to have mastered the art of taking its cut. Thus, you might look at your growing traditional IRA and 401(k) and see a future of unavoidable required minimu …
Legacy Planning Beyond Wealth: How to Build a Lasting Family Legacy
Although many people equate legacy planning with generational wealth transfer, a holistic approach to legacy planning can address financial, legal, and personal aspirations in a cohesive plan. It can take into account your unique relationships, values, philanthropic goals, and family govern …
How to Establish a Private Family Foundation for Strategic Giving
If you’re looking for a way to structure your charitable giving to optimize the benefits for your family and your favorite causes, a private family foundation may be an option to consider. Although they can be complex to establish, they provide significant tax benefits, the ability to exerc …
Charitable Trusts: Maximizing Potential Tax Benefits and Philanthropic Impact
If charitable giving is a significant part of your estate plan, it’s essential to choose a donation structure that fits your resources and goals. Trusts can be effective ways to provide for yourself or your family and help potentially reduce taxes while maximizing support for the causes you …
What Does an Executor of an Estate Do?
Planning for the future isn’t just about creating a will or setting up a trust (though that’s a good start). It can also be about helping to ensure a trusted individual carries out your wishes once you’re gone. This person, known as the executor of the estate, plays a critical role in manag …
Is a Donor-Advised Fund for Charitable Giving a Good Fit?
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that can play a valuable role in a charitable giving strategy—popular for its tax efficiency, flexibility, and simplicity. This resource can help you determine if a DAF could be worth considering as a useful addition to your overall …
COMPLIMENTARY RESOURCE
A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs
Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.
