There are a few items we wanted to remind you about as we wrap up the end of the year and look towards 2014. In no particular order they are: 1. Don’t forget that Minnesota has a gift tax! This gift tax applies to anything given over $1 million in a person’s lifetime (excluding gifts […]
December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966 It has been forty-seven years since Walt Disney passed away. The mastermind of the Disney empire, bringing you the lovable characters of Mickey Mouse, Snow White and more, passed away of lung cancer before he could see the completion of the famous Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. […]
On this day of thanks, we wanted to remind you about the various opportunities for giving. Many of our clients have a philanthropic intent but just do not know exactly how to, when to, and how much to give. Maggie Green wrote about incorporating philanthropic education into your estate plan even after you pass away. […]
May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963 Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. For the past few weeks, news outlets have been recounting the events surrounding November 22, 1963 and the aftermath of that day. The death of JFK wasn’t the first tragedy that the Kennedy family had suffered […]
Last week the company Snapchat, and its founders, made headline news when they rejected a $3 billion deal from Facebook. Why did they reject the offer? It has been reported it was because they felt there was more to earn down the road. Did they pass up a deal of a lifetime? Or will they […]
February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978 Norman Rockwell is an American artist, whose works of art often portrayed a certain innocence regardless of the subject of the paintings. Rockwell was born in New York City and began his career as an illustrator. He painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post when he […]
November 22, 1912 – October 28, 1993 Doris Duke was the sole child of the tobacco tycoon, James Buchanan (“Buck”) Duke, and inherited a large portion of his estate upon in his death in 1925. While it is not exact, Ms. Duke inherited tens of millions of dollars in trust. On her 21st birthday, she […]
Clients often talk about transferring property either to other individuals, into a trust, or into a pass-through entity for a wide array of reasons. One of the top reasons is typically to avoid probate. Another reason can be for tax purposes. However, with the change in Minnesota law, there may now be adverse consequences to […]
The new insurance marketplaces, including MNsure, are set to open today for enrollment (although the latest news is that the exchange will not go live until later this afternoon). Coverage is set to begin on January 1, 2014. These new insurance marketplaces are the cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act. They are to provide a […]
February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955 James Dean was an American actor who had a very short career but who left a surprisingly lasting legacy. James Dean died at the young age of 24 in a car crash. He is best known for his role in Rebel Without a Cause, but his performances in […]
December 21, 1959 – September 21, 1998 Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, passed away fifteen years ago today at the young age of 38. Griffith Joyner was an American track and field star, who most notably won three gold medals and a silver medal in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South […]