Articles

What Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
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What is the Capital Gain Tax?

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

What Are Some Tips for Managing My Money?

A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.

How Can a Living Trust Help Me Control My Estate?

A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.

What is the Estate Tax?

Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.

How Long Will It Take to Double My Money?

Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.

What Are the Pitfalls of Probate?

 The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process. 

What Is the Gift Tax?

 The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living. 

What Cash Management Tools Are Available?

Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program.

How Can My Gift Benefit Me and the Charity?

To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization
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How Much Moey Can I Put Into My IRA or Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan?

 IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government. 

How Do Money Market Mutual Funds Work?

 Money market funds can be a highly liquid and effective cash management tool. 

How Can I Build and Preserve My Estate?

 Life insurance can be used to help preserve the value of your estate for your heirs. 

What Is Required Minimum Distribution?

 Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account. 

How Can I Better Manage My Short-Term Cash?

 There are numerous investment alternatives available to help provide liquidity. 

How Can I Control the Distribution of My Estate?

 If you haven't taken steps already, consider planning now for the distribution of the assets of your estate. 

What Happens If I Withdraw Money from My Tax-Deferred Investments Before Age 59   

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  Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal income tax penalty. 

What Advantage Does a Biweekly Mortgage Offer?

 Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay. 

How Will I Pay Estate Taxes?

 If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.
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What Is Tax Deferral?

 There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible. 

What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

 There are techniques that can enable older homeowners to use their property to finance their lifestyle. 

Can I Benefit from an A-B Trust?

 An A-B trust can be an effective way to help reduce estate taxes and preserve family assets for heirs. 

How Can I Benefit from Tax-Advantaged Investments?

 Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives. 

What Are Some Smart Ways to Refinance?

 Here are some smart ways to refinance your home. 

What Gifting Strategies Are Available to Me?

  Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving. 

What Tax Deductions Are Still Available to Me?

 The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living. 

What Savings Alternatives Are Available?

 There are a number of savings alternatives that could help you earn a reasonable rate of return.