A sale to an intentionally defective grantor trust freezes a business’s value in your estate while future growth passes to heirs tax-free.
The Estate Freeze: Selling Your Business to a Grantor Trust (IDGT) Read More »
Leaving money outright to a vulnerable heir exposes it to creditors and divorce. A discretionary spendthrift trust protects the gift.
Protecting an Inheritance From Your Heir’s Creditors, Divorce, and Spending Read More »
Beneficiary forms on retirement accounts and life insurance override your will. One outdated form sent a $480,000 401(k) to an ex-spouse.
Your Will Doesn’t Control Your 401(k): The Beneficiary Designation Trap Read More »
Sandwich-generation caregivers face three gaps at once: a parent’s MassHealth lookback, a disabled child’s benefits, and their own documents.
She Was Caring for Two Generations and Had a Plan for Neither Read More »
Gifting assets outright wastes valuation efficiency and control. An FLP lets you gift discounted minority interests while staying in charge.
Family Limited Partnerships: Transfer More Wealth While Keeping Control Read More »
Personally owned life insurance is taxed in your estate. An ILIT keeps the death benefit out — but watch the 3-year rule.
Who Owns Your Life Insurance? The Answer Can Cost Millions. Read More »
Verbal end-of-life wishes can stall decisions and spark family conflict. A living will, health care proxy, and HIPAA authorization make them count.
Say It and Write It: Why You Need a Living Will, Not Just a Conversation Read More »
A verbal “I’ll just tell them” plan leaves the executor lost, assets hidden, and heirs fighting. Put it in writing with an inventory.
His Whole Plan Was ‘I’ll Just Tell Them.’ After He Died, It Was Chaos. Read More »
A GRAT transfers an appreciating asset’s growth above the IRS hurdle rate to your heirs gift-tax-free. Here’s how it works and how to manage the risk.
The GRAT: How to Pass an Asset’s Growth to Your Heirs Nearly Tax-Free Read More »
Naming “my estate” on a retirement account loses favorable payout treatment and triggers probate. Name individuals or a qualifying see-through trust.
Don’t Name Your Estate as Your IRA Beneficiary Read More »
