With the passage of the legislation that made the federal estate tax exemption permanent at $15 million earlier this year (up to $30 million with portability for a married couple), there is only a very small number of taxpayers who must worry about federal estate and gift taxes moving forward. However, that doesn’t mean that…
Category: Blog
Make Grandparents Day Special
Although it is natural to celebrate our grandparents every day, it is also nice to designate a special day for special appreciation too. An effort to do so nationally began with 9-year-old Russell Clapper writing a letter to President Nixon in 1969. It wasn’t as easy as just sending a child’s letter to create a…
Lessons from Jimmy Buffett’s Estate
About that choice of trustee Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame But I know it’s my own damn fault —Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville, third chorus The estate of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who died in 2023, looked well planned. Under his will,…
Passwords or Passkeys?
You may have seen news or read articles last month about a breach of over 16 billion passwords, more than twice the number of humans on this planet. This sensation-grabbing headline has been contested by some, claiming that the number may be inflated with duplicates or may include older leaks. Either way, this Forbes article…
Three Non-Tax Reasons to Have an Estate Plan
Utilizing estate planning strategies to mitigate death taxes can be important, but it’s not the only, or in many cases, primary reason to reach for the estate planning toolbox. From making sure that your estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries to ensuring financial privacy, there are several ways estate planning can be beneficial. Need a…
Emotional Investing In Volatile Times
The size, speed, and frequency of shifts in the market this year have been enough to make many investors reel, and reeling from the markets tends to shift a person away from their standard decision making into emotional decision making. Emotional investing may not be a new idea, yet the associated feeling still feels new…
Initial Thoughts on the Estate Plan of Gene Hackman
Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife of 34 years, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in February. An investigation revealed that she had died first, and Mr. Hackman about a week later. Their wills, filed in probate court two weeks later, reveal a thoughtful estate plan. Simultaneous deaths. Under the common…