by John C. Martin | Jan 6, 2014 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families, Tax Planning
The first part of planning for long-term care is realizing that, a) most of us will need this kind of care for at least some time before we die and b) the cost of this care can be financially devastating for a family if it is not planned for in advance. This was...
by John C. Martin | Dec 30, 2013 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families, Tax Planning
Health care has been the topic of discussion lately, but the greatest threat to your financial health is long-term care. This is the kind of care you need if you are not able to perform normal daily activities (such as eating, dressing, bathing and toileting) without...
by John C. Martin | Dec 23, 2013 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families, Tax Planning
Paying insurance premiums to protect against potential losses frees us mentally to enjoy driving a car, leave our house empty while on vacation and receive medical treatment for an injury or illness. In the same way, the use of trusts acts like insurance and can shift...
by John C. Martin | Dec 16, 2013 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families, Tax Planning
During the past several decades, estate planners recommended the use of AB Trusts for nearly every client. The use of AB Trusts was based upon the fact that the estate tax applicable exemption amount (“AEA”) was not automatically “doubled” if one was married. The AB...
by John C. Martin | Dec 2, 2013 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Estate Planning for Families, Tax Planning
Money values can be a guiding light that is a component of your legacy. If communicated frequently and purposefully, these values can be an important reference for your loved ones as they learn to handle money.The Key Takeaways• Having regular family discussions about...
by John C. Martin | Dec 18, 2012 | Estate Plan Maintenance, Tax Planning
IRAs are among the largest assets inherited by heirs and beneficiaries. These accounts have been able to grow to such large amounts because income taxes are deferred until the owner begins to take distributions, usually after reaching age 70 ½. Those who...