IRAs have become ubiquitous components of estate plans. The SECURE Act of 2019 altered the landscape for IRAs significantly. Just when advisors began to get comfortable with the new 10-year rule, the United States Treasury Department promulgated proposed Treasury Regulations early in 2022 adding additional complexity to that rule by requiring annual distributions for a non-EDB of a participant who died after their Required Beginning Date. Once again, the SECURE Act includes additional provisions with which every advisor should be familiar.
Estate Planning
Show Your Love by Creating an Estate Plan
Instead of thinking about chocolates or flowers this Valentine’s Day, let’s focus on a practical way to demonstrate our love by creating an Estate Plan. If you don’t yet have an estate plan, now’s a great time to make an appointment with an Estate Planning attorney to talk about your particular situation, along with your goals and any long-term concerns that you may have. If you already have an Estate Plan, demonstrate your love by ensuring that the plan accomplishes your objectives. If the plan needs updating, make an appointment with a qualified Trusts and Estates practitioner to review the documents and make recommendations for you.
What Happens When You Don’t Trust Your Trustee – Part II
Trusts have become ubiquitous parts of estate plans. Many Estate Plans use revocable trusts as the foundation for the plan while others include irrevocable trusts. Regardless of the planning reason, every trust needs a trustee. The grantor may name the beneficiary as trustee, or the grantor may name another individual or entity as trustee, creating a natural tension between the beneficiary and trustee. If the tension becomes too great, the beneficiary may seek to have the trustee removed. As expected, the avenues for removal depend upon the trust instrument itself, as well as any statutory remedies available.
The Not-So Transparent Corporate Transparency Act
Estate Planning attorneys need to understand multiple issues ranging from taxes to asset protection to create a comprehensive estate plan. Passage of the Corporate Transparency Act adds yet another layer to the already complex world of Estate Planning. Beginning on January 1, 2024, any company that qualifies as a Reporting Company needs to file a report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regarding its Beneficial Owners and individuals who helped register the Reporting Company. The provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act are designed to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, tax fraud, and other illicit activity.
Tax Planning for 2023
Planning is important for your income taxation during life as well as for any estate tax at death. Even though 2023 is just starting, it’s not too early to think about planning for whatever it may bring your way.
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