A number of thought-provoking blackboards have appeared around Colorado in the past few months. Written in bold letters across the top is the phrase, “Before I Die I Want To…”. It is the job of passersby to complete the thought. The boards are part of the Before I Die project that helps people reflect on their lives. They are a small part of a larger movement that is … [Read more...]
Estate Planning and Succession Planning: Helping to Pass Along a Family Business’ Values as well as Assets
Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the American economy, accounting for 64 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. However, they face unique challenges in trying to remain family owned while nurturing the values that led to success. For example, in 1850, German immigrant Bernhard Stroh opened a brewery in Detroit. One hundred and thirty years later, that company, … [Read more...]
Tax Changes and Estate Planning
How the Recent Tax Changes Impact Your Estate Planning Estate planning is something that many people put off doing. And with the recent passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, those same people may feel that they can push estate planning even further down their list of priorities. Under this new tax plan, individuals can give away up to $11.2 million when they die without … [Read more...]
Avoiding the Mess: Why Estate Planning is Essential for Blended Families
The winter months, in addition to being a cold, grey slog, have the dubious distinction of “divorce season”. But there is a silver lining to every rain/snow cloud. Just as leaves will bud and flowers will shoot up from the earth, divorce season turns to wedding season in the spring and love will bloom again. However, tying the knot for a second time can also cause some … [Read more...]
Divorce and Estate Planning
Divorce and its Impact on Estate Planning The spring and summer months are ripe with weddings, so much so that the time is frequently referred to as “wedding season”. But, did you know that there is also a “divorce season” Beginning in early January and peaking near the end of March, divorce filings spike. “Many couples see the holidays as an opportunity … [Read more...]
Trusts: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know
What are trusts, and should you have one? Trusts are incredibly useful tools. Yet, there are so many different types of trusts and official sounding language surrounding trusts that they are confusing to some people and even treated with scorn by others (as in the pejorative term “trust fund baby”). So, what exactly are trusts? Trusts are used for a variety of purposes. … [Read more...]
Why Your Healthcare Wishes and Family Legacy Should be a Resolution This Year
In November of 2017, a man was brought unconscious into a Florida Hospital emergency department. When the staff opened his shirt, they discovered a “Do Not Resuscitate” tattoo across his chest. The word “not” was underlined and a signature was beneath the words. Now, given the extraordinary lengths this gentleman undertook to make his healthcare wishes known, did the … [Read more...]
Creating a Legacy of Gifting: Charitable Giving in Estate Plans
The holidays are that time of year when family members, often from far and wide, come together to celebrate with one another. It is a time for remembering the past, celebrating the future, and observing the family legacy. For many family members, that legacy includes a wish to continue helping others even once they’ve gone. Often, that means establishing an estate plan that … [Read more...]
How to Protect Yourself and Your Assets from Elder Abuse
On August 30, 2013, Rudy and Rennie North were home when there was a knock on the door. On the other side was a woman they had never met before. Her name was April Parks. Parks announced to the Norths that she had been named their guardian and would be taking them to an assisted-living facility. She had an order from the Clark County Family Court to remove the Norths from … [Read more...]
Talking with Family About Estate Planning
When it comes to estate planning, there are significant financial and personal benefits to having sensitive conversations about your estate plan with your loved ones. What better time to have these important conversations with your family than now, around the holidays when everyone is together? Below are some key reasons why you should have an open conversation with your loved … [Read more...]
