Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Beneficiary designations and other non-probate transfers are an often-overlooked part of estate planning. They are overlooked by clients and sometimes even by professionals. When planning what would happen to your assets at death, most of us think, “oh, that’s simple, I need to do a Will to take care of that!” But, that’s just part of the process. You almost … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations and Other Non-Probate Transfers
Estate Planning Conference Discusses SECURE Act and More
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The Heckerling conference in Estate Planning is the country’s largest professional gathering in Estate Planning. The conference examines many areas of interest to Estate Planning and Elder Law professionals. It pays particular attention to items of current interest. As the SECURE Act passed in late-December 2019, it was discussed in many sessions. The SECURE Act … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Conference Discusses SECURE Act and More
Planning for the SECURE Act
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The “Secure Act” was part of a larger law that passed with (rare) bipartisan support in late-December 2019. It is effective January 1, 2020, for most purposes. This is a series of articles on the Secure Act. The first article looked at the basics of the Secure Act. This second article examines planning strategies for dealing with the Secure Act. As laid out in the … [Read more...] about Planning for the SECURE Act
The SECURE Act and What It Means for You
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The “Secure Act” was part of a larger law that passed with (rare) bipartisan support in late-December 2019. It is effective January 1, 2020, for most purposes. This is a series of articles on the Secure Act. This first article looks at the basics of the Secure Act. What does it do? The Secure Act does many things, but here are a few of the biggest changes. First … [Read more...] about The SECURE Act and What It Means for You
The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know (Video)
On December 20, 2019, the President signed into law the SECURE Act, this stands for “Setting Every Community Up For Retirement Enhancement" Act. The SECURE Act greatly changes many aspects of IRA planning. Our Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses what our prospects and clients need to know about the new law. Watch our video on the new act so that you are aware of the changes that can be expected with regard to IRA planning. We want you to be prepared as much possible so that your estate is … [Read more...] about The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know (Video)
Tax Tips after New Year
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The ball has dropped in Times Square and we’ve bid farewell to 2018. But there are still a few things we can do to adjust our tax liability for 2018 before filing tax returns on April 15. First, you’ll need to organize all your tax records. That way, you’ll have some idea of what your tax liability might be. After you’ve organized your tax records, if you find you … [Read more...] about Tax Tips after New Year
Giving Back
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. There are many ways to give back. Some give back through donations of cash or property. Other people give back by donating their time or expertise. Some people do both. When you give cash to a public charity, for example, you can deduct your contribution up to 60% of your adjusted gross income. For example, Mary Smith had an adjusted gross income of $100,000. She … [Read more...] about Giving Back
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 6: Taxes
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. This is part of a series of 6 blogs on important estate planning considerations. I’ll intersperse these blogs with other timely blogs. The first article in the series showed how an estate plan prepares one for incapacity during life and not just for the distribution of assets at death. The second article in the series focused on how an estate plan should take into … [Read more...] about 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 6: Taxes
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. This is part of a series of 6 blogs on important estate planning considerations. I’ll intersperse these blogs with other timely blogs. The first article in the series showed how an estate plan prepares one for incapacity during life and not just for the distribution of assets at death. The second article in the series focused on how an estate plan should take into … [Read more...] about 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets
Age-Related Retirement Milestones
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. There are many milestones in retirement. Financial advisers might advise that you achieve certain financial benchmarks by specific ages or stages in your life. They might advise that you have a certain multiple of your salary by specific ages. Or, they might advise having a nest egg of a particular size before you retire. Here’s a retirement calculator that might help … [Read more...] about Age-Related Retirement Milestones
