It is important to have an estate plan that reflects one’s wishes in case of death or illness, especially for married couples with or without children. Many married couples without children need to decide who they want to leave assets to and who they trust to make their medical and financial decisions in case they… Continue Reading
Author Archives: John
Pumping Iron: Not Just a Movie
In the mid-70’s Arnold Schwarzenegger made a movie called Pumping Iron. It tracked several of the top bodybuilders of the day in their quest for the 1975 Mr. Olympia title. The movie is a cult classic for any bodybuilding aficionado such as myself, and was Arnold’s first significant step toward an acting career. At the… Continue Reading
The Affect of Interest Rates on Estate Planning
Rising interest rates can make certain estate plans less effective. When rates rise, the “hurdle” rate increases. That interest rate, currently around 2%, has been quite low for some time. However, with all the predictions that interest rates will begin to rise again, so will the hurdle rate. What does this mean for your estate… Continue Reading
Obama Targets Estate Plan Strategies
President Obama hopes to change the tax laws to take away or limit many estate plan strategies that save taxes for families. Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, annual exclusion gifts and generation-skipping trusts are but a few of the items on the hit list. Moreover, Obama wants to rollback the estate tax exemption to $3.5 million… Continue Reading
Shout Out!
Thank you Eileen for the Shout Out in the March 4 newsletter! http://www.bothellchamber.com/