the Estate PLANNER

Here’s a brief glance at what you’ll find in the May/June issue…

Protecting your assets against fraud and ID theft

Wealth preservation typically focuses on protecting assets against creditors’ claims and lawsuits, but it’s also important to protect wealth from erosion by fraud and identity theft. There’s a common misconception that fraud victims usually are unsophisticated, but there’s no shortage of sophisticated investors who’ve been seduced by the promise of generous returns. And, according to the Federal Trade Commission, 10 million people fall victim to ID theft every year. This article offers safeguards against fraud and ID theft.

10 tips for choosing a guardian

The selection of a guardian can have a profound impact on a child, so it’s important to choose carefully. If a person is hesitant to name a guardian for his or her children, a court will name one. Thus, it’s one of the most important estate planning decisions a person can make. This article lists 10 tips to help people make the right decision.

Family split-dollar arrangement can ease gift taxes

One of the most effective techniques for avoiding estate taxes on life insurance proceeds is to set up an irrevocable life insurance trust. If a person pays the premiums on the policy, however, there may be gift tax consequences. A properly structured split-dollar arrangement may solve this problem. This article details the ins and outs of a split-dollar strategy.

Estate planning red flag

You make (or receive) “deathbed” gifts

Making annual exclusion gifts is an effective way to reduce a person’s taxable estate. But if such gifts aren’t “completed” before the person’s death, they could be subject to estate taxes. This short article explains how a gift is “completed.”