Insights
The metaphor often used in planning is that of a tool box, which contains many types of tools each with its own specific purpose.
As we always tell our clients: this is your Plan, not ours. So share with us your goals, dreams and desires and we will do our utmost to ensure these things are all realized. And depending on what each of those goals and dreams are, there is very likely a strategy or technique—aka tool—to help us get you there.
Below are some articles and thoughts on the various tools and techniques as well as issues to consider for your Plan.
As we always tell our clients: this is your Plan, not ours. So share with us your goals, dreams and desires and we will do our utmost to ensure these things are all realized. And depending on what each of those goals and dreams are, there is very likely a strategy or technique—aka tool—to help us get you there.
Below are some articles and thoughts on the various tools and techniques as well as issues to consider for your Plan.
The SLAT: A Love Letter to Your Spouse (and Your Tax Bill)
One of the key tenets of estate planning is that practically everything you own is part of your taxable estate which means you could potentially owe estate taxes on these assets. And the tricky part is, thanks to the IRS, the only way to remove assets from your estate & lower your estate tax bill is to give up access to those assets, to give them away.
Dressing It Up: 4 Steps to Prepping Your Business for Sale
If your plan is to take your company to market to sell and actually get what you think it’s worth (rather than what your ego tells you it’s worth), you need to do more than just put a “For Sale” sign on the front lawn. To ensure you get maximum value for your company, here are the top four things you must do before you start shopping for that retirement boat.
The Dynasty Trust: Because "Forever" is a Great Tax Bracket
If you’ve ever watched a period drama and wondered how the Duke of Somewhere-or-Other keeps a 200-room manor despite not having a real job since the 1700s, you’ve seen the magic of generational wealth. In the American tax system, the Dynasty Trust is our version of that aristocratic staying power—minus the powdered wigs.
The Great Escape: 4 Traps to Avoid When Selling Your Business
So, you’ve dressed up the “bride,” scrubbed the financial kitchen, and found a buyer who claims to have both the money and the vision to carry on your legacy. Congratulations. Now comes the hard part where you try to actually get across the finish line without losing your shirt or your sanity.
When Defective Means Effective
Estate planning can often feel like a high-stakes game of “Keep-Away” played against Uncle Sam. If you’ve been successful enough to have a “tax problem,” you may have heard of the Asset Sale to a Defective Trust. It can be a little technical, but it’s one of the most elegant maneuvers in the estate planning playbook.