What’s a stretch IRA, you say? Well, it’s not a new type of IRA, rather it’s a strategy to preserve the value of an inherited IRA, to defer the tax on as much of the IRA as possible for as long as possible. As the law now stands, the owner of an IRA has to […]
As anyone who’s read my profile knows and as I’ve stated elsewhere on this blog, I once wrote for Bloomberg–for three Bloomberg magazines, in fact. One of them was Bloomberg Wealth Manager, which was later sold and then sold again. I continued to write for the magazine in all its iterations. The other day, I stumbled […]
As a freelance financial writer, I worked with the people in Northern Trust’s wealth management arm. They are bright and very good at what they do. So when they talk, consider listening. For example, in the audio at this link, you’ll find a good discussion of what to look for when you’re searching for a […]
Sometimes feel confused? Wonder why the left hand can’t understand what the right hand is supposed to be doing? Imagine what your family will feel like the day after you’ve passed on to the great beyond, then think about how a well-drafted trust might clear things up for them. I’ve written more than a few […]
“Family business succession planning is the cornerstone of any successful family business owner’s estate plan. As is often the case, however, planning for the inter-generational transfer of ownership and control of the business becomes complicated by the intra-generational conflicts of the business owner’s heirs. These onflicts among members of the second generation, if severe enough, can render the […]
Hey, I know I have a bit of a bias, but be careful when you hire an attorney. Not all is at it seems, as this story illustrates. The woman in the story is probably not the first to do this–to such a degree, and the problem is not limited to the legal profession. Lots of […]
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
The headline in the March 22, 2016, Washington Post article says it all: “Unanimous pro-Second-Amendment stun gun decision from the Supreme Court.” Unanimous as in every justice apparently agreed with the following sentiment expressed in the per curiam opinion by the nation’s highest court. The Court has held that “the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to […]
Briefly, creating a conservation easement can allow you to receive good by doing good. Consider creating one on your property to protect “natural, scenic, or open space values of [that] real property, assuring its availability for agricultural, forest, recreational or open space use, protecting natural resources, maintaining or enhancing air or water quality, or preserving the […]
On the impact of the business structure of a farm on federal farm payment limitations: The structuring question also influences eligibility for the federal farm program payment limitation. Under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act, of 1996 and earlier legislation, each “person” under one or more production flexibility contracts is eligible for a […]