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One area of concern arises from large or multi-engine jet aircraft owners and operators — or their counsel — who focus solely on the potential civil liability risks. These parties often seek to minimize potential civil liability by creating a sole-asset company to own and operate the aircraft, which is in turn owned by the individual or the operating company that is the “real” aircraft operator.

The protracted wrangling over deficit reduction and tax codes in Washington in recent years has raised concerns about the negative impact on charitable giving. Would the elimination of tax deductions act as a disincentive for the wealthy to give, possibly crippling the nonprofit sector?

In the wealth management world, basis points mean everything. Hedge funds may charge 100 to 200 basis points plus a performance fee. Fund of funds typically charge 50 to 100 basis points plus a performance fee. The model for wealth management firms could be 50 basis points for managing a $10 million portfolio.

As the autumn winds begin to gust in 2015, Jeremy Siegel’s disciples seem ubiquitous across the world of institutional investing. Allocations to equities are massive with the mentality being “of course we all know a correction is coming but I would rather suffer through a correction than miss the next leg up.” Eager to buy into Siegel’s mantra that endorse higher fee assets, Financial Advisors are aggressively talking down any semblance of real portfolio diversification, merely shuffling allocations between correlated paper assets.

Wealth transfer to younger generations is one of the biggest concerns for families today. Many families feel that the younger generations aren’t ready to handle the wealth they’ll receive; in fact, only one-third of wealthy parents have fully disclosed their wealth to their children. The perceived unpreparedness, along with a concern for privacy and wealth preservation or asset protection, are some of the key non-tax reasons that many families establish trusts.

The white paper, “Sudden Wealth: Managing the Transition,” provides helpful guideposts for handling new wealth, regardless of the circumstances – whether the wealth represents a recent windfall (the immigrant experience) or having control of a large amount of money for the first time (the inheritor’s experience). The paper highlights common examples of steps to take and to avoid, the typical reactions and emotions experienced by the suddenly wealthy, and a recommended timeframe for making decisions that focus on important personal priorities.

A 678 Trust is a unique vehicle that (i) eliminates estate tax on trust assets, (ii) protects trust assets from creditors, (iii) allows the client to stay in control of the assets, (iv) allows the client to direct where the assets pass at death, and (v) has multi-generational “dynasty” benefits—protecting heirs from creditors, divorce, and estate tax when the heirs die.

This case study walks through the estate planning The Blum Firm, P.C. did for a client who sold their billion-dollar company several years ago. The planning occurred in five stages and exemplifies planning which saves taxes, provides asset protection, and structures an inheritance for future generations.

Family-run enterprises make up a significant portion of businesses within the United States. Because it is clear that many of these business-owners will be looking to plan their exit from the companies they have established, it is important that planners prepare for their role in the succession planning process. We’ve compiled a list of ten steps planners should adopt as their standard approach to attaining the perfect balance between pleasing the family and protecting the business.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 reduced the top marginal estate and gift tax rate to 40 percent. In addition, the Act provides for a $5,000,000 per individual lifetime estate/gift tax exemption, adjusted for inflation, known as the “basic exclusion amount”. The 2015 basic exclusion amount is $5,430,000. This article explains changes to the current estate and gift tax law and provides insight into various tax strategies.