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Can an estate plan offer tax advantages?

Can an estate plan offer tax advantages?  Kelly Phillips Erb, my favorite tax columnist in Forbes, recently reminded us that May 15 is just about here.  For most of us, the tax deadline to know is April 15; for some, the business deadline for taxes is June 15.  May 15 refers to the tax filing […]

How long does it take to create an estate plan?

Some people are good planners.  Some people are good at procrastinating, or worrying, or otherwise avoiding things that we all know are the right things to do. And that leads me to the subject for this blog:  how long does it take to create an estate plan?   When you are ready to begin working […]

Asset and estate protection

Columnist Kelly Phillips Erb recently noted in Forbes that the IRS is aggressively pursuing the perpetrators of tax fraud and other related crimes, and that their “tally” for 2013 reached a new, higher total of those apprehended and prosecuted.   Financial crime is still crime.  You may believe that an estate planning attorney doesn’t see […]

3 Common Legal Pitfalls for a Business

Having your own business can be very exciting. But it definitely comes with responsibility, including making sure you are legally compliant and protected at all times. Below are three potential pitfalls to be aware of when running your own business.   1. Choosing the Wrong Legal Entity Many businesses start as sole proprietorships or partnerships. […]

California Charitable Trusts: One Way To Help Now And Help Later

Charitable trusts can be an essential element of estate planning.  Your assets can be put to work in the future as well as proving beneficial in the present.  There can be tax advantages as well.   The first consideration before putting together a charitable trust is to determine your financial objectives and your personal charitable […]

Does Your Family Business Have a Succession Plan?

Many of our clients have family businesses that have been in their families for generations. Although they work hard for their business to grow, one thought is not commonly discussed: a proper business succession plan.   A business succession plan is one that details who will continue to operate the family business once the main […]

Estate planning and your modern family

“Modern Family” actress Ariel Winter recently made headlines.  She went to court to emancipate herself from her parents. She will live elsewhere and be responsible for managing her own career and income.  Is there irony in the fact that an actress on a family comedy found it necessary to leave her own?  Perhaps, but all […]

Keep your estate plan current with your travel plans

In 2015, we can “travel” practically anywhere on the Internet.  And beyond the virtual world, we may also literally travel to all parts of the globe to climb mountains, scuba dive, cruise alongside icebergs, or go up in hot air balloons.  For some, international travel is in their job description, while for others, it’s a […]

We had a Summer BBQ and it was great!

Will vs. Trust: What Exactly is the Difference?

If you’ve ever considered an estate plan, chances are, you’ve heard of a will. You’ve probably heard of a trust too. But, if you are like most people, you don’t know the difference between the two. We get asked this questions every day when we meet new clients. It is an important distinction to know […]