Minimizing and Managing Social Security Benefit Taxes This is the third and final article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed The amount that benefits are taxed is determined by how much other earned […]
Maximizing Spousal and Survival Benefits This is the second article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. The Basics of Spousal Benefits Coordinating spousal benefits is one of the most complicated areas of successful Social Security benefits planning. Overlooking the […]
Calculating Your Benefits and Deciding When to Apply This is the first article of a three-part series to help married couples maximize the total amount of Social Security benefits they will receive in their lifetimes. Why focus on maximizing Social Security benefits? Doing a little thoughtful planning now will lead to more immediate income, higher […]
While many economists have said we have come out of the recession, as of late many of them may be thinking we are heading for another one. A 512-point drop does not make anybody happy, especially me. It seems that we are back to the 2008 days of extreme volatility.
Regardless of the size or complexity of your estate, there are no guarantees that your beneficiaries will agree with the terms of your estate planning documents. For that reason, I suggest that everyone read this article by Ashlea Ebeling on reducing the likelihood of estate litigation. I particularly like #4 “Transfer a Business with a Contract”. If […]
March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991 Better known to most as Dr. Seuss, Mr. Geisel died 20 years ago today at the age of 87. He left one of the greatest legacies to children – a mass of literature that captures the imagination. While most of the works are elementary in nature, throughout the […]
529 plans are tax-advantaged programs that help families save for qualified higher education expenses associated with college. How are 529 Plans helpful for estate planning? Well, contributions to a 529 Plan can help you reduce the taxable value of your estate, if that is a concern.
When clients execute their Wills, attorneys typically ask the following questions, in some manner, to determine the client’s mental capacity to execute the Will and whether or not they are doing so freely: Does this Will accurately reflect your wishes for the distribution of your property? Did you have the opportunity to review and discuss […]
Anyone who attended a Twin Cities Pride event this summer can attest to the vitality of Minnesota’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. The turnout and support for the GLBT community proved Minneapolis deserving of the honor, “Gayest City in America,” bestowed on the city earlier this year by The Advocate. As an estate […]
Cost and convenience are often deterrents to completing an estate plan. Consequently, many individuals and couples turn to “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) options. Plenty of DIY options exist: websites, other online applications, books with CDs, etc. These options are admittedly less expensive; however, you get what you pay for … and that is not much. These options […]
September 14, 1879 – September 6, 1966 Margaret Sanger was an extremely controversial figure during her lifetime (and some would say still to this day). However, she left a lasting legacy with her fight for reproductive freedom for women. She sought to provide women information to be able to make their own decisions about reproduction. […]