How to Tailor the Conversation to Their Goals Professionals often have a clear path to starting the estate planning discussion when their clients have children, as many estate planning discussions center around clients’ objectives for passing their wealth, properties, and legacy to the next generation. Because of this traditional emphasis on the next generation, individuals and couples without children can easily arrive at the conclusion…
Don’t Let Change Wreck Your Business: The Buy-Sell Agreement
Divorce – an unexpected death, disability, or retirement – an irreconcilable dispute. Any of these events may put your successful, stable business into a tailspin. Luckily, a buy-sell agreement can help you and your business be better prepared to handle these events. What is a Buy-Sell Agreement? A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding agreement between co-owners of a business that controls what happens if…
Legalized Marijuana: What Every Employer Needs to Know
The marijuana industry is huge and growing. In 2017, legal marijuana was a $1.5 billion industry in Colorado alone according to data from the Colorado Department of Revenue, and it has been identified by many analysts as one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. To date, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized either medical marijuana or recreational marijuana, or,…
Estate Planning Projects to Tackle in the New Year
As the end of the year approaches and you begin to look back on 2018, what changes need to be reflected in your estate plan? Have you gotten married or divorced in the past year? Perhaps you’ve welcomed a new child or grandchild, or experienced a change in your health. So much can change in a year, and it’s important not to let too much…
5 Hidden Client Risks That Demand Your Immediate Attention
How to Steer Your Clients in the Right Direction Estate planning provides your clients with a wealth of opportunities to strategically grow their net worth while also planning for their families’ future comfort and security. Opportunity brings risk, but also the potential reward of deeper, longer-lasting client relationships. Educational Topics for Your Clients That Can Help Your Business What you don’t know can end up…
2018 Midterm Elections: What Do They Mean For Your Estate Plan?
Strategic Planning Guidance in Light of the Midterm Results Estate planning is meant to be an ongoing process, not a one-time transaction. In the same way that you never stop budgeting, saving, and investing as you go through life, it is also sensible to see estate planning as a lifelong project. Let’s look at some of the considerations you should make now that the 2018…
Three Legal Strategies When Facing a Major Health Event
What You and Your Family Need to Know Receiving a health diagnosis or learning that you need to undergo major surgery can cause substantial disruption in your day-to-day life. During this time, the last thing you may want to think about is estate planning. Although you may have many things going through your head at the moment, now is a crucial time to make sure…
Do your parents have an estate plan?
If you find yourself in the “sandwich generation” (someone who is caring for both your children as well as your parents simultaneously), you need to know whether or not your parents have put together an estate plan. While it is still your parent’s choice to make estate planning decisions, having a plan — no matter how late in life it is created — is an…
What 199A Regulations Mean for Your Clients
Tax-Saving Opportunities for Business Owners Are any of your business-owning clients curious about the new Section 199A deduction? Although the deduction became effective on January 1, 2018, guidance on how it would be calculated was delegated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by Congress. For months, financial and tax professionals have speculated about various aspects of this new deduction since Congress gave us little concrete…
Your Fall “Legal Affairs” Checklist
With the fall season approaching, it’s an excellent time to review your affairs. Below is a checklist to ensure your planning meets your needs and is up-to-date: 1. When was your power of attorney last updated? A power of attorney is a valuable legal document, no matter what the circumstance. Not only is it flexible and can be prepared to meet your particular needs, but…