» Trusts and Estates

One More Scary Halloween Story!

A Halloween riddle for you: What's scarier than ghosts and goblins to Americans 50 and older? Answer: Their finances. That's the upshot of the latest Country Financial Security Index, and two other surveys I've seen lately back it up.… Read More
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What Do The Uber-Wealthy Do with Their Money?

Art makes up 2.5 percent of the biggest estates and just 0.6 percent of those who had between $10 million and $20 million. A Picasso fetched more than $95 million in 2006. The superrich are different from the very, very rich. For one thing, they own… Read More
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Avoid These Common Estate Planning Mistakes

The most common estate planning mistake may surprise you. "The mistake actually isn't part of the will and trust," said Dan Prebish, head of life services events at Wells Fargo Advisors, based in St. Louis. "It actually has to do… Read More
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Irrevocable Trusts May be the Answer to Tough Estate Planning Issues

The death of a loved one can create a lot of financial complexity. For families that have set up irrevocable trusts to facilitate the transfer of assets from one generation to another, the tax implications can be even more complicated. However, there… Read More
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Charitable Giving Puts Public Library Back on the Map

The Stanley and Elaine Ball Charitable Foundation granted the Taneyhills Library $350,000 to renovate the children's area and to create a technology conference room. Taneyhills Library Board Chairman Kenton Olson said the children's library… Read More
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California Court Upholds Trust that Gives Millions to Lady's Gardener

A Sonoma County bank overseeing the trust of a wealthy Kentfield divorcee who left a large chunk of her $8.5 million estate to her gardener and other non-family members will be allowed to dip into the fund to defend challenges from the woman's d… Read More
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Easy to Explain Estate Taxes? Not Exactly

Seems like the subject of estate taxes becomes part of every politician's election promises, and today's election environment is no different. Even though we are not really expecting significant changes in that area, estate taxes have chang… Read More
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Don't Let a Perfect Storm Ruin Your Plans for the Family Farm

In February of 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed when a plane Holly chartered at the last minute crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa. The event later became known as "t… Read More
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Money and Estate Planning Issues for Unmarried Couples

Whether a couple is married or unmarried, there are invariably many money issues for them to consider – and some valuable financial moves to make. Here are some tips for those in the not-married camp. A bad way to manage your joint and separate fin… Read More
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What to Do to Reduce Estate Taxes

If you plan on leaving a sizable amount of money to your heirs, it's understandable to be concerned about estate taxes. After all, the top Federal estate tax rate of 40% could take a nasty bite out of a multi-million dollar estate, and that'… Read More
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