A lot of people are interested in giving something to charity when they are making plans for the future. One of the things that you want to consider to this end is going to be how well the charitable cause utilizes the resources that they have. You may have heard stories about some charities having very high administrative costs including very significant salaries paid to executives. Some people have no problem supporting top-heavy charities, but there are others who would prefer to contribute … [Read more...] about Obtaining Details Before Giving To Charity
Legacy Planning
Tax-Free College Tuition Gifts
When you leave behind inheritances to your loved ones the point is to provide for them once you are gone and no longer able to respond to their needs. This is all well and good and as it should be, but there is no more comforting feeling than knowing that your family members are fully capable of taking care of themselves. With this in mind you may want to consider taking advantage of a gift tax exemption that can lead your younger heirs toward a path of academic achievement. Should you … [Read more...] about Tax-Free College Tuition Gifts
Estate Planning Requires Ongoing Legal Assistance
There are some things that you can do for yourself with some information that you obtain online, but estate planning is not one of them. Even if you consider yourself to be a business savvy individual there are nuances involved in inheritance planning that should only be entrusted to a licensed professional. Legacy planning involves the transfer of the sum total of your life's work, and this is heady stuff indeed. It is not a matter to be trifled with and it is not the realm of the DIY … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Requires Ongoing Legal Assistance
Long-Term Planning & Military Service
Individuals who decide to serve their country by joining the military take on a huge responsibility and invariably go through a lot of things that the typical American never experiences. They are away from their families for extended periods of time in many cases and of course many of our service members find themselves in harm's way. A military career is challenging to say the least, but there are certain benefits that veterans are entitled to that can be utilized to great advantage when you … [Read more...] about Long-Term Planning & Military Service
The Rich & Famous Don’t Always Plan Well
You might think that people who have extraordinary financial resources would take planning for the future extremely seriously. Of course many of them do, but it's surprising when you see how many rich and famous individuals really did not engage in proper legacy planning. On the positive side of the ledger, look no further than the case of Amy Winehouse. The British singer was known for a freewheeling lifestyle so a lot of people would have assumed that she probably would not be the type of … [Read more...] about The Rich & Famous Don’t Always Plan Well
Estate Tax: A Penalty For Success?
It doesn't take long before you recognize the fact that it takes financial resources to get by in this world. Most people go through school with the understanding that the ultimate destination is going to be the workplace. Since you are going to have to embark on a career path in order to pay your way you may as well do what you can to spend this time as constructively as possible. So, you don't have to be overly money motivated to decide that it is wise to do everything possible to maximize … [Read more...] about Estate Tax: A Penalty For Success?
Estate Planning And Making Provisions For Minors
It is important to make sure that you have an estate plan in place even when you are a young adult and it would seem as though you have many decades before you. Though estate planning is often viewed as something that only senior citizens need to be concerned about, in a very real sense it is as important or even more important for people who are younger to consider what life would look like to their loved ones if they were to pass away suddenly and unexpectedly. During our era most young … [Read more...] about Estate Planning And Making Provisions For Minors
Long-Term Planning Leads To Success
A lot becomes possible when you have the foresight to look ahead. If you give yourself enough time you can accumulate a significant store of resources and truly enjoy your retirement to the utmost. But if you drag your feet and tell yourself that you have plenty of time to begin planning at some point in the future you may find yourself unprepared. Most people would agree that it is remarkable how quickly time flies, and it seems to go faster as you get older. There are some mistakes that you … [Read more...] about Long-Term Planning Leads To Success
Choice Of Decision Makers, Executor Is Key
Choices abound when you are planning your estate, and if you use a last will to transfer your assets you're going to have to select an executor. It is important to understand the pragmatic duties that the executor must undertake so that you make your selection appropriately. This is not just a ceremonial title; there are hands-on tasks that the executor must carry out and it requires a certain skill set and a sufficient amount of time to devote to the exercise. Your estate is going to have to … [Read more...] about Choice Of Decision Makers, Executor Is Key
Estate Planning: Tune Out Bad Information
There is some bad information out there regarding estate planning details, and some of it stems from the agenda of certain profiteers. In other cases inaccurate or incomplete information is not intentionally disseminated and is the product of a lack of understanding, but it can be damaging all the same. One of these misconceptions involves the assertion that the federal estate tax is only applicable to people of extraordinary wealth. Beginning in 2013 the estate tax exclusion is going down to … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Tune Out Bad Information
