by Caren Chesler
Family businesses-no matter how well known-rarely succeed past the third generation.
by Hannah Shaw Grove
Editor's Note
by Mary Rowland
New Hampshire leads the way among states using generous new laws to compete for family trust business.
by
Karen DeMasters
High-profile estate planning failures by the rich-and-famous can impart a
valuable lesson to clients: Don't let this happen to you!
Bill Gates said needy people depend on self-made millionaires and
billionaires to donate money before passing their wealth on to
less-generous heirs.
by Deborah L. Jacobs
Now may be the time for some clients to shift a costly home to their children.
by Jerilyn Klein Bier
Advisors help parents of special needs children tackle unique planning challenges.
by
National Advisors Trust, an independent advisor-owned trust company, has launched a program that places dedicated trust officers in RIA offices.
Despite the hype around Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge
last year, the 50 biggest private donors in the U.S. gave less in 2010
than in any year since 2000.
by Deborah L. Jacobs
Advisors will profit if wealthy give to family now. But will clients suffer donors' remorse?
Citigroup Inc.'s private banking unit plans to set up a social
networking site exclusive to the kids of Citi's ultra-rich clients.
A new tax break for spouses wealthy enough to worry about the estate
tax seems to offer a huge benefit, but isn't perhaps as special as it
seems at first glance.
The prospect of an inheritance may loom large in the financial planning
of many baby boomers, but it shouldn't, according to financial advisors.
New tax rules in 2011 will make it very worthwhile for some people to
give big gifts to friends or family.
Estate tax exemption portability was a surprise perk in the recently adopted Obama-Republican tax compromise.
by
Ray Fazzi
Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), which were in line to be severely restricted this year, have been given new life by the federal tax deal.
On paper, a mere ten percentage points and 2,860 wealthy taxpayers
separate Republicans and Democrats in the fight over taxing
multimillion-dollar estates. The political differences loom larger.
As more families decide to shrink the lifespan of their foundations, many are expanding the role of their financial advisors.
Families would be able to make tax-free gifts to their children or
others of as much as $10 million, up from the current
$2 million limit, under the tax-cut bill Congress is debating this week.
