Recent cases of misappropriation of client funds, breaches of fiduciary duty, theft and bankruptcy filings underscore the importance of qualifying one's 1031 qualified intermediary. This article from Strategic Exchange Advisors includes information of interest to any investor with real estate holdings in the United States.
As social demands increase and government budgets tighten, the need to get maximum impact from increasingly scarce philanthropic funds grows. This paper from Springbanc Social Capital Advisors suggests ways to gain philanthropic leverage so that the potential positive outcome of each donation is enhanced.
With short-term interest rates currently near zero, this may be a good time to consider using intra-family loans, grantor retained annuity trusts and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts.
Competitive state premium taxes and modern domestic trust laws, as well as improved domestic regulatory costs and state consumer laws for insurance policies have resulted in much larger life insurance contracts being issued onshore versus the traditional route of offshore. Consequently, types of trusts, states, insurance companies and policies all are issues for estate planners to consider.
Low interest rates are certainly disheartening for investors looking for income, but they also drive down key rates used in estate planning – a great benefit to those looking for low or no tax techniques for transferring wealth to family members. It is unlikely, however, that these rates will remain as low as they currently are.
The charitable lead trust can be used effectively for the ultra-wealthy to pass property, at death or during life, to charity and family members. The trust is particularly effective for individuals who want to address their charitable interests and also set aside money for future generations' medical, educational or other needs.
An excellent trust beneficiary addresses the fact of his trust's existence and its implications for his life at increasing levels of understanding, moving from assimilating fundamental information to successfully managing relationships to seeking personal well-being and fulfillment. Instead of being the focal point of the beneficiary's life, the trust assumes a supporting role as financial capital in service of his journey toward excellence.
Designed to exist perpetually, promote family values and provide a substantial legacy, a dynasty trust takes the greatest possible advantage of a donor's gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions. The trust property and the appreciation on that property remain in trust out of the family's successive estates. However, the flexibility of many dynasty trust state laws allows for the termination of the trust, if that were desired.
Even for families with generations of addiction, it is possible to achieve sustained recovery and secure the family's finances. Finding the right help for those of wealth and prominence requires persistence, knowledge and professional cooperation with proven, reliable treatment programs.
Preserving family stories is as valuable a legacy as passing on material possessions. This white paper discusses the various media that families can use to preserve precious memories and other elements of their histories. In addition, the paper offers professional guidance for undertaking such a project.