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Why Estate Planning Details are Important

In this post we discuss two key issues that don’t draw much attention but are keys to the success or failure of your wealth transfer plans. They probably are not what you’d expect. Meeting a plan’s goals often does not hinge on the “headline...

Published 10-16-2009 10:24 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren
The Four Goals of Legacy Planning

Perhaps one of the worst effects of high estate taxes is the way tax planning diverts attention from other important estate planning issues. For many years, I have stressed that estate planning is about much more than taxes, but most people believe estate...

Published 08-13-2009 8:29 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, creditor protection, small business, family limited partnerships
Better Strategies for Estate Planning Gifts

Gift giving is the surest way to help loved ones of all ages, establish a legacy, and reduce estate taxes when the estate is large enough. Yet, many people are hesitant to make significant gifts to loved ones, because of the potential pitfalls. Those...

Published 07-10-2009 11:07 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, annual exclusion, grandchildren, creditor protection, asset protection
The Trickiest Part of Estate Planning

ways to efficiently distribute the residuary estate while reducing the probability of a will fight or family dispute. The appropriate method for your estate depends on family dynamics and your understanding of them. Here are some strategies to consider...

Published 06-05-2009 1:32 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren
Safe Ways to Give Wealth

Gift giving is the surest way to reduce estate taxes, help loved ones of all ages, and establish a legacy. Yet, many people are hesitant to make significant gifts to loved ones, because of some potential pitfalls. Those pitfalls, however, can be avoided...

Published 04-24-2009 8:49 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, annual exclusion, grandchildren
Asset Declines=A Planning Opportunity - Part 2

Last week we discussed how today’s economic distress creates estate planning opportunities. Because of today’s reduced asset values, estate owners can shift assets out of their estates tax at much lower tax cost than they could have a year...

Published 02-20-2009 11:46 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, trusts, homes, estate taxes, grandkids, annual exclusion, grandchildren, financial crisis, investments, portfolios
Asset Declines=A Planning Opportunity

There is at least one silver lining in today's dark clouds—estate planning opportunities are being created. Falling market prices and low interest rates are a great combination for estate planners. If the price depression of the assets is temporary...

Published 02-13-2009 2:33 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, estate taxes, grandkids, real estate, annual exclusion, grandchildren, financial crisis, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios
Taking Advantage of the 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate

For the two lowest tax brackets, the tax rate in 2008 through 2010 is 0% for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains. This compares to the 15% top rate others will pay on those types of income. Single taxpayers with taxable income up to around...

Published 01-30-2009 5:21 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, retirement, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios
The Neglected Step: Preparing Your Heirs

Many estate plans ultimately fail. The problems are not with the plans. The owners spent a fair amount of time and money preparing and executing the plans. They are sound plans that, if properly executed, would meet the goals. The problems with many estate...

Published 01-23-2009 2:17 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, estates, Estate tax, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, iras, trusts, ira distributions, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, selling a business
Trustee Strategies for the 21st Century

Trusts are part of more and more estate plans. Often trusts are used to hold and manage assets for younger generations. Sometimes the beneficiaries are too young or inexperienced to manage the assets. Other times the older generation is afraid the younger...

Published 01-16-2009 12:04 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, creditor protection, asset protection, investments
Four Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Estate planning and tax reduction will be returning to the front burner for many people. Congress was unable to pass a permanent estate tax reduction in recent years, but a permanent law is likely in 2009 or 2010.Changes in Washington made permanent repeal...

Published 12-19-2008 3:03 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren
Your Retirement Plan and the New Washington

Come January, Democrats will be in charge all over Washington. They campaigned on a theme of change, and we should expect major changes. The questions are which changes and how will they affect your retirement finances? I will focus on the changes I think...

Published 11-07-2008 12:44 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, market indicators
A Fresh Look at Family Limited Partnerships

Family limited partnerships have been a key element in many estate plans for decades. The FLP provides an array of benefits to the estate owner, not the least of which are tax reduction plus continuing control of the assets. Those benefits and the popularity...

Published 09-26-2008 2:29 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, trusts, homes, estate taxes, grandkids, real estate, grandchildren, retirement, retirement plans, creditor protection, asset protection, business sales, selling a business, family limited partnerships, partnerships
Five Myths of Business Succession

Few small firms survive past the first generation of owners. That is well-known. Most people assume the business failures are due to the inadequacies and mistakes of the owners and managers after the first generation. Yet, at least an equal share of blame...

Published 08-21-2008 9:48 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, business sales, selling a business, small business
Wise Ways to Plan Gifts

The estate tax is scheduled to be eliminated in 2010 and be restored to its 2001 version in 2011. It is probable, however, that the estate tax will be changed after the 2008 elections. The most likely scenario is that a lifetime exemption in the $3 million...

Published 06-19-2008 9:29 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson

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