Make Your Estate Plan About More Than Just Money
Estate planning often seems to be all about numbers. Maybe you start by figuring out what you have, what it’s currently worth, and what its value is projected to be in the future. Then you decide how you want to slice up the pie for your heirs while forfeiting as little as possible in estate taxes. The emphasis is normally on maximizing the tax benefits available under federal and state laws. But the real goal of this process is t..
Roth IRA Conversion Can Benefit Your Estate Plan
By now, you’ve probably been inundated with media stories and ads touting the benefits of Roth IRA conversions, which are now open to everyone, regardless of income. Roth IRAs are known for their ability to deliver tax-free income during retirement. But a Roth may realize some of its most significant advantages after your retirement has ended. When the future of the estate tax finally gets resolved, converting a traditional IRA to..
Nine Estate Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Thanks to long-standing appreciation in homes, well-funded retirement accounts, and hefty life insurance policies, many retirees today not only have enough money to live comfortably, they are also likely to have wealth to distribute at the end of their lives. But it can be tricky making sure your bequest gets where you want it to go. Here are nine common mistakes to avoid.
1. Assuming you don’t need an estate plan b..
Shaping Your Legacy With Trusts
Like many affluent baby boomers, Paul Schervish and his wife worry about the impact of their wealth on their children. So, instead of leaving the three kids a lump-sum inheritance, they’ve structured a trust that will distribute its holdings “like a good parent,” providing support for home buying, education, and health care.
As director of Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Schervish knows he’s hardly ..