Scott Haile & Co.

Estate and Business Planning e-Newsletter

Click on the article title for access to our animated online newsletter.

• December 2010
  • Revocable Living Trusts
    Revocable Living Trusts are popular estate planning tools, especially when probate avoidance is an objective. Our lead article reviews how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and some of the important matters to consider in their creation.
  • Trust Funding
    Here we summarize one of the most important aspects of ensuring the success of any Living Trust-based estate plan: Trust Funding. Without careful attention to this detail, probate may not be avoided as intended.
  November 2010
  • Are You Ready?
    In this article we focus on getting (and keeping) your legal affairs in order. Whether you have a comprehensive estate plan or intend to create one soon, the goal is to make sure that everyone and everything is okay, even if you are not.
  • Post-Marital Plans
    Here we examine legal tools and techniques that are must-haves for married couples, and some that may be more important depending on your unique needs. You will want to share this article with your married friends and family members.
  October 2010
  • Family Matters
    If you are a member of a family, then our lead article is a must-read. We review some fundamental legal matters you need to address before it is too late, from appointing your decision-makers to protecting any inheritance you may leave.
  • Critical Choices
    Here we consider the critical choices everyone must make when selecting guardians and financial fiduciaries for their minor children. We offer helpful and practical pointers for evaluating and selecting potential candidates.
• September 2010
  • Charitable Opportunities
    Americans have a rich heritage of philanthropy. Unfortunately, too many taxpayers are involuntary philanthropists because they fail to maximize the tax incentives to become voluntary philanthropists in support of the charities of their own choosing.
  • The Charitable Trifecta
    Perhaps you have heard the old saying that “charity begins at home.” Many otherwise generous givers understandably do not want to disinherit their own family. This article highlights a solution to this common concern.
• August 2010
  • Beneficiary Designations
    In this issue of our newsletter we shift our attention to one of the most critical, and often overlooked, aspects of retirement planning. Our lead article considers common pitfalls in the selection of a designated beneficiary.
  • Pension Maximization
    Here we explain the pension payout options you need to know now, so you can protect your financial security in retirement. You will want to make sure you (and your friends) have made appropriate arrangements before it is too late.
• July 2010
  • Majoring in Minor Children
    Most Parents expend considerable time and treasure to provide for their minor children. But not all parents live to see their children enter adulthood. Our lead article reviews key considerations to provide for your children in a world without you.
  • Leveraging Legacies with a Section 529 Plan
    Here we survey tax-savvy lifetime gifting strategies to leverage legacies to minor children, with some surprising control retained by the donor. [Hint: You might want to share this article with their grandparents!]
• June 2010
  • Educating Young Adults About Estate Planning
    By and large, Americans are a rather independent lot. This month's article reviews some fundamental threats to our personal independence in the context of estate planning for young adult Americans. You will want to share this article with the young adults in your life.
  • Carrots & Sticks: Protecting Your Inheritance
    Here we consider a Carrots & Sticks approach to inheritance planning. To protect your heirs from catching a bad case of Affluenza, you may want to learn how proper estate planning can protect a hard-earned inheritance both from them and for them before it is too late.
• May 2010
  • Facing Facts About Death and Taxes
    It can be difficult to ponder our own mortality. That is just our human nature. Nevertheless, the clock is ticking for each of us. Our lead article highlights some critical issues we all need to address while there is still time to make proper financial and legal plans.
  • Writing Lasting Letters to Your Heirs
    In this article we we encourage you to consider lasting letters as a means to enrich relationships with your loved ones. Since letter writing has become a lost art, the mere fact that you make the effort will be remarkable.
• April 2010
  • Family Limited Partnerships
    Family Limited Partnerships offer many benefits, both tax and non-tax. Our lead article is a primer that explores why they are at once a taxpayer favorite and a favorite target of the IRS and some courts.
  • Asset Protection
    In this article we examine three strategies for protecting your hard-earned wealth: exempting your assets, limiting your liability, and transferring your risk. This article will inspire you to take specific actions today to protect your wealth tomorrow.
• March 2010
  • Lifetime Gifting: Part of Your Multi-Generation Estate Planning
    Would you prefer to transfer more wealth to your family instead of the IRS? Our lead article summarizes the relevant lifetime gifting rules and considers two common do-it-yourself transfer methods.
  • Crummey Trusts
    Here, we investigate how lifetime gifting to a Crummey Trust may help reveal the financial maturity level of your loved ones now, so you may make proper plans for them later.
• February 2010
  • Five Common Estate Planning Mistakes
    Proper estate planning is not just for the rich and famous. Surprisingly, however, that is a common misconception. Every adult American has an estate worth planning, regardless of their net worth. In this article we review some critical estate planning concerns.
  • Family Feuds
    This article considers the subject of Family Feuds resulting from an inheritance, or lack thereof. Your family may not resemble the Hatfields and the McCoys, but family disharmony can be avoided through proper estate planning (and communication).
• January 2010
  • Business Owners Beware
    The survival rate of family businesses from generation to generation is rather dismal. To help prevent your business from becoming an unfortunate statistic tomorrow, we review some common challenges for you to address today (before it is too late).
  • Buy-Sell Financing
    One fundamental key to the survival of a family business is a properly funded Buy-Sell Agreement (BSA). In this article we consider three basic BSA flavors and the means available to finance their terms when triggered.