We offer estate planning as part of our comprehensive wealth management services. We believe that combining the expertise of a CPA and a financial advisor allows us to provide coordinated financial planning. Our approach helps you minimize tax liabilities, ensure compliance, and secure your estate for the future.
One question the family of a deceased person often asks is: What happens to debt after a person dies? It’s important to realize that a person’s debt doesn’t simply vanish after his or her death. An estate’s executor or beneficiaries generally aren’t personally liable...
When it comes to estate planning, married couples often assume that simply naming each other in their wills or designating each other as beneficiaries is sufficient. However, unintended consequences can result if you and your spouse fail to properly coordinate your...
It’s not uncommon for an estate plan to contain multiple trusts. They can enable you to hold assets for and transfer them to beneficiaries, avoid probate, and possibly reduce estate tax exposure. When drafting a trust, you must appoint a trustee. This can be an...
Members of the sandwich generation — those who find themselves simultaneously caring for aging parents while supporting their own children — face unique financial and emotional pressures. One critical yet often overlooked task amid this juggling act is estate...
If you’re considering making asset transfers to your grandchildren or great grandchildren, be sure your estate plan addresses the federal generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. This tax ensures that large estates can’t bypass a round of taxation that would normally...
When it comes to estate planning, one important decision many people struggle with is whether to share the details of their plans with family members. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it largely depends on your goals and your family’s dynamics. However,...
With the federal gift and estate tax exemption amount set at $13.99 million for 2025, most people won’t be liable for these taxes. However, capital gains tax on inherited assets may cause an unwelcome tax bite. The good news is that the stepped-up basis rules can...
If your estate planning goals include distributing your wealth while also encouraging specific behaviors or achievements among your heirs, using an incentive trust might be right for your plan. Unlike a traditional trust, which distributes assets according to a set...
When estate planning, it’s common for parents to leave their primary residence or a vacation home to their children. While your parents’ wills or trusts may specify who gets what percentage of the home, typically, you and your siblings will receive equal shares in the...
If you’ve given a significant financial gift to a family member, you may wonder whether you’re required to file a gift tax return. Even if no tax is due, filing Form 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, can be a smart decision....