When it comes to estate planning there is never a “one-size-fits-all” solution. There are many tools and the estate planner’s job is to determine which one makes sense for each person’s particular circumstances. When that person’s estate plan includes a beneficiary who is disabled, quite often the right tool is a “special needs” trust. Otherwise, […]

As the proverb goes, “It is better to give than to receive.” The sage who coined this phrase was no doubt speaking in terms of the good we can do by making gifts. Little did he know that following this same advice can lead to tax savings as well. However, another wise man instructed us […]

When President Clinton inked the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 on August 5, 1997, he dramatically changed the way home sales are taxed. Prior to the change, homesellers could delay paying tax on a home sale if they “rolled-over” the gain and purchased a more expensive home within 2 years of the sale. A separate […]

It used to be that only those with vast fortunes to protect considered a premarital agreement as part of their wedding plans. Now, however, it’s not just the Michael Jacksons and Lisa Presleys that are ironing out their financial obligations in the event of a divorce before they even take their marriage vows. Such steps […]

When most people hear the term “estate planning” they think of a Last Will and Testament. After all, the Will is typically the cornerstone of one’s estate plan. However, for most of us, it is statistically more likely that we suffer a disability, then die. Therefore, to deal with the problem of disability, many look […]