New Cyprus Residents - Make Sure You Know Who Will Inherit Your Estate

In an earlier article, author Michael Yates drew attention to the need to review assets and the manner in which they are held in order to escape liability to inheritance tax in the United Kingdom. The key lies in domicile, even more so after the British Government's decision to tax the most basic of estate planning arrangements. So what is domicile?

Three Advantages a Roth IRA May Offer Your Estate Plan

Many may not consider the possibilities that a Roth IRA can offer an estate plan. But, there are three advantages that a Roth IRA can offer if your estate value is under the Applicable Exclusion Amount ($1.5 million in 2005, and $2 million in years 2006 & 2007) and if one of your planning goals is to leave as much money as possible to your heirs.

Beneficiary Controlled Trust Fact Sheet

As middle class estates get larger, and the divorce rate grows, more and more financial planners are utilizing beneficiary controlled trusts to pass inheritance on to future generations without loss to the beneficiary's creditors, ex-spouses, or even the IRS.

Powers Of Attorney Vs. Successor Trustees - Does One Have More Power Than The Other

Question: I am listed as the Successor trustee, my bother is listed as the Durable Power of Attorney for property management of my father's estate. Does one have more power than the other. Does the POA have the power to sell my dad's property or do I the successor? Thanks ahead of time - really confused. N.H.

Probate and Estate Sales

Probate and estate sales usually occur when someone wealthy dies. Estate sales have to be conducted because the decedent did not leave a will and everything is in his name.

Enduring Power of Attorney Being Phased Out

From the first Monday in April next year, the Enduring Power of Attorney will be banished forever. Its replacement will be more complex to get and is likely to cost more.

Ira Trusts: What's All The Hype About

A recent new development in estate planning is helping thousands of affluent people across the country with IRAs over 100,000 transcend estate tax and income tax. It keeps your beneficiaries from blowing all of the money you’ve worked so hard for.

Choosing Guardians for Children

The most important decision you'll make in your estate plan is appointing guardians for your minor children. Who you pick will impact not only your children but also the lives of your guardians. While you and your children may feel an affinity for a particular adult(s), that relationship could be strained in a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week environment. Where should you begin in picking a guardian?

Top Asset Protection Strategies

Contrary to popular beliefs, asset protection does not mean hiding assets, and is not a trick to evade authority. Asset protection also does not involve deceptive agreements or fraudulent transfers. It is simply smart and safe financial planning. It uses the cunning of business and tools of financial planning to safe guard your assets from being extracted by outsiders who do not have any right to or claim on your hard earned money.

Estate Planning in Light of a Remarriage - Ensuring the Care of Your Children

The staggering amount of divorces that occur in today’s society is all too well known. Depending upon the circumstances that lead to the break-up of any marriage, one may think that getting into another such arrangement would be out of the question. However, this is not always the case. In fact, the Stepfamily Association of America reports that about 43% of all marriages are remarriages for at least one of the adults, and of these, about 65% involve children from a prior marriage.

Selecting Trustees and Executors - Some Considerations and Ideas

Selecting an executor or trustee is often the last consideration when preparing an estate plan. When planning out a will or trust, it seems so much more important and interesting to decide how the property is to be given away! Oftentimes, the issue of who takes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other issues. But little is more important.

Offshore Asset Protection

Offshore asset protection strategies to protect your savings, investments

What is Unclaimed Inheritance? Am I Owed Any?

Are you aware there is over 35 BILLION dollars in unclaimed money in the United States and some of it is unclaimed inheritance? This money sits in the state or federal unclaimed money pools until the rightful owner claims it. The problem is the account owners of unclaimed inheritance accounts usually don't know the money even exists so the money just sits and sits and sits-