By Cheryl Ellefson, CPA, MBT, CFP® It’s a universally accepted truth: Giving brings joy to both the giver and the recipient. So, when it comes to gifting your estate to family members, why wait until you’re no longer around to reap the benefits? If you give to your children or grandchildren now, you’ll see the […]
Quick Reference Guide: What to Do When Someone Passes
By Cindy McLagan, EA The overwhelming emotions you may experience after losing a loved one are difficult enough. Add in the task of handling their personal affairs, and the situation can begin to feel downright discouraging and intimidating. To help you through the process, I’ve assembled a list of tasks you can use as a […]
Starting a Family? Plan Your Estate Now
There’s so much to think about when you’re preparing for parenthood. For my wife and I, it was an unbelievably exciting yet incredibly daunting experience. Between planning for the birth, arranging the nursery, and figuring out how to work the car seat, we were overwhelmed! As first-time parents, we also had to think about how […]
Which Type of Trust is Best for You?
By Cindy McLagan, EA If you’re looking for a way to minimize gift and estate taxes, creating a trust could be a solution. Many types of trusts exist, and each has a specific purpose. The type you choose—as well as how it’s created—will depend on what you’re trying to accomplish. Although establishing a trust requires […]
Benefits of Using a Corporate Trustee
By Brenda K. Lowe, CPA, PFS Naming a trustee to manage your estate can be a difficult decision. Many choose a family member, such as an adult child, a friend, or even a neighbor to assume the role. But naming a loved one as a trustee can cause complications over time. Not only is the […]