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It has always been the case that courts could consider resources available to one spouse from a trust in deciding how to divide marital property or whether to award maintenance. However, there are trends in several states to make trusts a larger part of the process of dividing assets in a divorce. Because of these trends, it is not necessarily enough just to have a trust. The type of trust can make a difference.

When surveyed two years ago, U.S. family businesses were warily eyeing their next big bet but hesitant to place it. Now, they’re actively playing their hand. This report highlights the views of 100 owners, leaders and top executives of U.S. family businesses across a variety of industries.

For families that want to get to the essence of a wealth advisory firm, some non-traditional due diligence approaches might be of help. These are intended to complement a traditional due diligence approach and uncover important aspects of a firm that might not otherwise come to light.

Without a full understanding of U.S. federal gift tax and income tax issues associated with a gift of money to a U.S. child, it is easy for a nonresident alien to convert what would have been a tax-free gift to taxable income. This guide outlines the most common gift-giving mistakes and how to avoid them.

For foreign entrepreneurs seeking to bring their businesses to the United States, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa may seem like the perfect fit. Looks, however, can be deceiving. Green card holders are subject immediately to U.S. federal income tax on their worldwide income and informational reporting requirements for their foreign interests.

Wealth management decisions carry an inherent risk for all investors but especially for ultra-wealthy families that require the services of a range of providers. Regardless of the advisory firm a family selects, it’s in the family’s best interest to ensure that, above all, the firm adheres to five core fiduciary principles of wealth management.

More frequent review and adjustment of asset allocation, incorporating opportunistic investing and employing flexible strategies, such as global asset allocation and global macro managers, enables investment programs to increase return and manage risk more effectively.

For the past 30 years, inflation has been a benign tiger. However, many signs point to its likely increase. And make no mistake – it can be a fearsome and stealthy force. Individuals can’t prevent inflation, but they can prepare for it, defend against it and, perhaps, profit from it.

Active investment management is best rewarded in less efficient asset classes. Dispersions of returns in relatively inefficient asset classes, such as private equity, opportunistic real estate and natural resources, are significantly wider than in traditional long-only asset classes, making the rewards for success far more meaningful.

Owners of LLCs or trusts that include personal assets should work with both a trusted financial advisor and an independent agent who specializes in insurance for the wealthy. Financial planners and insurance agents who collaborate on an account have more knowledge about how each discipline complements the other and can determine the limits and terms and conditions that best meet a client’s needs.