Articles

The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.

If you haven't taken steps already, consider planning now for the distribution of the assets of your estate.

A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.

Life insurance can be used to help preserve the value of your estate for your heirs.

To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.

Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.

A wealth replacement trust could be used to gift appreciated assets to a charity as well as provide for heirs.

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.

Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners.

If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving.

It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are more important than ever, but managing the assets can be confusing.

If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

The Social Security Administration’s retirement estimator gives estimates of your future benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record.

If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.

401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.

A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.

There are a variety of retirement planning options that could help meet your needs. Here are some of the most popular.

Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

Some of the pros and cons of whole life insurance.

As a business owner, a disability can create an economic hardship putting both your personal finances and business at risk.

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.

When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.

Couples who want to help protect their legacy from estate taxes could consider last-survivor life insurance.

Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.

Several factors could undermine the financial security provided by the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.

There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.

It's important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy.

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.

Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal tax penalty.

Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.