In Transamerica Life Ins. Co. v. Quarm, Thomas Quarm obtained a life insurance policy and designated his mother as his beneficiary and his brother, Nicholas,…
Court Reverses Jury Verdict And Holds That Trustor Could Not Revoke Trust
In Coyle v. Jones, two sisters fought over the whether $197,000 belonged to their mother’s estate or to a trust. No. 05-16-00876-CV, 2017 Tex. App.…
Federal Estate & Gift Tax Reform – What We Know Now
We now know that each individual has a $10 million estate tax exclusion (adjusted for inflation) under the new federal estate tax legislation (the Tax…
Lower Your Expectations on Pension-Plan Promises
Most workers hoping for pensions are out of luck. And even those few who do have them may not be as lucky as they thought…
4 False Assumptions That Could Threaten Your Retirement Years
Don’t use these excuses to short-change yourself in the future.
Medicare Part B Premiums Rise for Some
Find out if, and why, you’ll be paying more.
5 Sizzling Health Care Funds to Consider Now
Unless you have been sitting on the sidelines – or heaven forbid, invested in a bear-market fund – chances are your portfolio made good money…
The Only Two Vanguard Index Funds You Need for Retirement
Investing doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Build a dirt-cheap portfolio that can last a lifetime with just one stock ETF and one bond…
Prep Your House for Snowbird Season
Ways to make sure your empty home remains in ship shape.
6 Questions Retirees Are Asking About Required Minimum Distributions
When it comes to taking the first required minimum distribution from your IRA or making tax-free withdrawals for charitable donations, the rules can be tricky.
8 Great Values in Big-Screen TVs to Watch the Super Bowl
Super Bowl 52 will be played on February 4, and if you’re hosting a party for the big game (and all the commercials), you’re running…
Why a Top 10 List of Annuity Companies is Not a Place to Start
To find the annuity that’s right for you, start by asking yourself a series of “what if” questions.
Tax Breaks You Won't Believe Are Real
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T054-S011-tax-breaks-you-won-t-believe-are-real/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 19, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Best Rewards Credit Cards for Travel
Rewards credit cards keep getting more and more rewarding. For the past several years, card issuers have been hustling to attract customers with generous sign-up…
Nate Smithson Provides an Update on Tax Reform
Jackson Walker partner Nate Smithson has prepared an updated guide to tax reform which reflects the senate’s newly-proposed tax bill. The guide covers tax brackets,…
CPA Shoptalk: 8 Takeaways
On January 10th, 11th and 18th our tax attorneys ?hosted a “CPA Shoptalk” seminar in ?Portland, Vancouver and Bend. Below are ?some key takeaways to…
2018 Key Trust & Estate Planning and Corporate Ownership Implications of the New Tax Law
With the passage of Public Law no. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the 2017 Tax Act), attorneys…
Three Key Aspects of the New Tax Law
The new tax law is lengthy and full of complex provisions. This article highlights three key aspects of the tax reform and how they may…
How to Set Goals for Yourself and Make Them Happen
Do you want to change careers in 2018? Devote more time to volunteering? Or how about saving $50,000 over the course of the year? Here’s…
The Bull Market Isn't in Danger of Ending Yet
But the relentless stock melt-up can’t last forever. Watch for these warning signs that the rally is coming to an end.
Two-Thirds of Americans Have Inadequate Insurance. I was One of Them.
If you’ve had the same insurance policy for many years, you may find yourself knee-deep in trouble when disaster strikes.
Will a Government Shutdown Trigger a Market Meltdown?
The clock is ticking on a potential government shutdown, leaving investors to wonder what could happen to this bull run in stocks.
The Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 20, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2018. Among…
Limitations Period Doesn't Apply to Tribal Claim for Mismanagement of Trust Funds – Court of Federal Claims Ruling May Expand Damages That Can Be Recovered by Tribes
• A decision by the Court of Federal Claims has important implications for breach of trust claims involving tribal trust funds. • Most claims for…
The 1 Thing You Can't Forget to Take When Leaving a Job
Some people take more care boxing up the pens, paper clips and coffee cups in their desks when they pack up for a new job…
Nice-Try Tax Breaks Rejected by the Courts
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T056-S011-nice-try-tax-breaks-rejected-by-the-courts/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 17, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Do You Own ETFs? Heed the GICS Shakeup
Coming changes to how stocks are classified by industry and sector could have repercussions for investors in many exchange-traded funds.
10 Stocks That Could Surprise in 2018
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S015-10-stocks-that-could-surprise-in-2018/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 17, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
3 Tips to Keep Emotions From Causing Investing Mistakes
Markets are always rising and falling. News is always breaking. And investors are always fretting. Now’s the time to take a breath, check your plan…
5 Ways Roth IRAs Help Retirees
The reduction in tax rates under the new tax law could make contributing to a Roth IRA more attractive even for those nearing retirement.
Using Prenuptial Agreements to Protect the Family Farm
The family farm is a special asset. The family may have worked hard through decades, maybe even generations, to accumulate and develop the farm’s land,…
To Be Ready for a Bear Market, Start With a Portfolio Analysis
The time to check your risk tolerance level is well before a bear starts poking its nose into Wall Street’s business.
The Dogs of the Dow: Investing Made Easy
This blue-chip-centric passive investment strategy is simple and successful. But are its imitators even better?
The 50 Best Stocks of All Time
A finance professor made a startling discovery about the stock market: Over a 90-year span, 96% of all stocks collectively performed no better than risk-free…
Don't Gamble With Your Retirement Income – Protect It
What kind of retirement saver are you? The kind willing to roll the dice and let your nest egg ride, or the kind who wants…
The Times They Are A–Changin’: Estate and Gift Tax Exemption Amount Doubles
In this world, things change, and clients need to adapt to those changes. A major change in gift and estate tax law has occurred and…
The 9 Best Dividend Growth Stocks in the Dow
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been around since the late 19th century and consists of 30 of the largest publicly traded companies in America.…
Court Held That Retirement Benefits Belonged To The Worker’s Sister, Who Was Designated Beneficiary, And Not The Wife
In Estate of Gibson, a man named his sister as the beneficiary of his retirement plan in 1989. No. 06-17-00059-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 9963…
10 Value Stocks to Buy for 2018 and Beyond
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S001-10-value-stocks-to-buy-for-2018-and-beyond/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 12, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Why Working Past 65 Can Be Doubly Rewarding
Aside from making for an easier transition, the financial benefits of stretching out your working life with part-time work or a lower-stress job after you…
The Ultimate Tax and Retirement Strategy for High Earners
Everyone’s heard of pension plans, but have you heard of a cash balance plan? It’s a way to sock away large amounts of cash for…
Make Sure You Have Proof to Support Your Charitable Tax Deductions
In an audit, the IRS may deny your charitable write-offs if you don’t have a record of your contributions.
Staying the Course: Courts Will Not Hear Stayed Actions
In Ayoungman v Ayoungman, 2017 ABCA 333, the Court of Appeal of Alberta considered a dismissed application of the appellant, who claimed that the chambers…
You Can Pay $0 in Taxes on Your Retirement Income
When retirees add up all their deductions and personal exemptions, they may find opportunities to generate the income they need from their portfolios without triggering…
An Investing Tax Break that Survived Under the New Tax Law
Forget about deducting management fees and tax-prep costs. But margin interest you still get.
Tax Cuts for Now. But What Happens in 2026?
The new rules will be the subject of hot political debate in eight years (or sooner).
Gaming the Mortgage Interest Deduction Under the New Tax Law
The rise in the standard deduction means far fewer people will be deducting mortgage interest.
Big Change Afoot for the "Kiddie Tax" Under the New Tax Law
Though the exemption remains the same, the rates are quite different.
Money Aside, 5 Questions to Answer Before You Retire
When getting your ducks in a row for retirement, you’ve got to know a lot more than how you’re going to pay for your new…
How "Chained" Inflation Will Erode the New Tax Cuts
Lower inflation adjustments mean smaller annual increases in tax brackets, standard deductions and other breaks.
5 Bank Stocks to Love in This "Goldilocks" Economy
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S001-5-bank-stocks-to-love-in-this-goldilocks-economy/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 11, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
What Investors Need to Know About the New Tax Law
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T055-S001-what-investors-need-to-know-about-the-new-tax-law/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 11, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
The Least Tax-Friendly States in the U.S.
Depending on where you live, state income taxes and property taxes could cost you thousands of dollars every year. High sales taxes or gas taxes…
PA Requires Oil and Gas Lessees to Withhold State Income Taxes from Nonresident Lessors
Under Act 43 of 2017 beginning January 1, 2018, anyone that pays Pennsylvania-source non-employee compensation or business income to a non-resident individual or disregarded entity…
The 2017 Tax Act Doesn't "Simplify" Planning for Estates and Gifts Things to Consider or Reconsider As You Look at Your Estate
On December 22, 2017, the President signed a major change to federal tax law that contains many provisions affecting individuals, estates, and trusts. While the…
Estate and Gift Planning Under the New Tax Law
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 went into effect on January 1, 2018. The new law makes some changes to key estate planning-related…
The Federal Estate Tax Lives On, But “Where, O death, Is Your Sting?” (*)
When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was introduced on November 2, 2017, perhaps the single most important issue on the minds of many closely…
Ron Aucutt’s “Top Ten” Estate Planning and Estate Tax Developments of 2017
In an annual tradition, Ronald Aucutt, a McGuireWoods partner and chair emeritus of the firm’s private wealth services group, with help from his McGuireWoods colleagues,…
New Tax Law Offers Added Incentive to Make Tax-Free Transfer of RMDs From Your IRA to Charity
Basic rules for charitable deductions stay the same under the new tax law, but a near doubling of the standard deduction may change people’s giving.
The 401(k) Reaches 40 With Flaws Left to Fix
How can a retirement plan be effective if it focuses only on savings and not the income necessary for retirement itself?
Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Increase Your Tax Bill
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T055-S003-tax-forms-that-can-increase-your-tax-bill/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 10, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
6 Stocks That Will Hit $1 Trillion Dollars
In all the ruckus over bitcoin, everyone has forgotten about boring ol’ stocks. Who cares about returns of 111% when you can make that in…
To Buy or Not to Buy: Do Annuities Have a Purpose in Your Portfolio?
There are two specific types of retirement savers for whom annuities make a lot of sense. See if you’re one of them.
Private Wealth Newsletter – Significant Changes to Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
The recently-enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly changes the tax landscape, beginning on January 1, 2018. Many of these changes will sunset on January…
Don't Trust a Pie Chart to Test Diversification
When the next market downturn comes, many investors who think they’re protected may be surprised. Merely being invested in different types of stocks and bonds…
10 Top Funds for a 2018 Gusher in Energy Stocks
The Northeast and the Midwest were brought to a standstill in late 2017 thanks to a nasty winter storm, followed by record-breaking cold to start…
8 Free Things You Can Do on Any Vacation
These fun-filled activities can take the sting out of expensive family travel.
Don't Get Burned When a Stock Cuts Its Dividend
General Electric’s 50% cut caused a lot of consternation about who might be next. We’ll help you spot hazards.
Is Your Dividend Growth Strategy Stuck in the Past?
Focusing on companies with strong dividend histories makes sense for investors, but that’s only part of the equation. Size matters when you’re talking about dividend…
4 Estate Litigation Predictions For 2018
The new year is a good time to look ahead at what trends we may expect to see in the area of estate litigation in…
Court Held That A Testator Was Partially Intestate And Did Not Leave His Real Property To His Niece Under His Will
In In re Estate of Neal, Larry Ronald Neal executed a will in which he bequeathed his personal property to his niece, Valorie Jean White,…
New Internal Revenue Code Section 199A: The 20% Deduction for “Pass-Thru” Businesses
Aside from corporate tax reductions, one of the most important aspects of the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act beginning this year is the new…
Estate planning for families with special needs
When children with disabilities turn 18, your ability as a parent to make decisions for their care and future become limited. Specific long-term planning decisions…
When Widows Are Forgotten: A Guide for Widows and the People Near to Them
They are all around us, but widows can sometime feel invisible and forgotten. They need help. This I know from experience. And this is what…
7 Smart Ways to Spend $100,000
Sitting on a significant stash of cash? Maybe you’ve won the lottery, or inherited a small fortune, or sold a home or business for more…
Cash In on Tech Trends With Fidelity Select Technology Fund
This fund can be volatile, but patient investors have been rewarded.
12 Smart Ways to Spend $1,000
Got some extra cash? Perhaps you’ve earned a year-end bonus, or received a generous holiday check from Grandma, or banked a hefty tax refund from…
T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Takes the Long View
This fund’s managers look for high-quality stocks that have stumbled or troubled companies with a fix in sight.
Beware "Value Traps" When Looking for Cheap Stocks
Figuring out when–or even if a company’s prospects will improve is tricky work.
11 New ETFs to Watch Out For in 2018
The exchange-traded fund industry sure isn’t running out of ideas. More than 270 new ETFs were launched in 2017, bringing the number of U.S. listings…
Municipal Bonds Will Survive Tax Reform
A change in the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes will have an effect on munis, but these well-loved investments are made…
7 Bargain Stocks in Today's Pricey Market
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S002-7-bargain-stocks-in-today-s-pricey-market/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 8, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
How Your Credit Score Is Calculated
Here’s the formula for success no matter which model lenders use.
Don't Step Into These Saving Traps
Some behavioral biases seem tailor-made to foil retirement savers. But their ill effects are smaller for those who are aware of them.
9 Smart Ways to Spend $10,000
Jeanette Brown knows how tough it can be for twenty- and thirtysomethings to afford a first home. Brown is a real estate agent in Denver,…
For Value, GM Beats Tesla by a Mile
Tesla gets all the attention, but with actual profits, GM can afford to finance innovation.
Consider Alternative Funds to Hedge Against a Market Downturn
These funds can smooth out the ride in a bumpy market.
More Stocks Growing Faster Than Amazon
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S015-more-stocks-growing-faster-than-amazon/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 8, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Financial Tools for Savers With Big Balances
Workarounds for when your bank isn’t passing on higher yields to you.
What to Expect From the New Fed Chief
By and large, Jerome Powell will move along the path set by his predecessor.
11 Key Political and Economic Forecasts for 2018
Forecasting the future is no easy task. Kiplinger reporters and editors dig deep, leaning on experts in academia and the private sector. We tap our…
8 Times Booking Your Own Travel Is Cheaper Than a Package Deal
You may find ways to shave dollars off each element of your trip.
3 Worst States for Taxes on Retirees
High income taxes, sales taxes and taxes on Social Security and other retirement income make states such as Connecticut, Kansas and Minnesota especially tax-unfriendly for…
5 Investment Strategies That Could Shine in 2018
The five FAANG stocks – Facebook (FB), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Netflix (NFLX) and Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL) – soared to vertiginous heights last year,…
3 Financial Moves to Make as a New Year Gets Underway
Set yourself up for a successful 2018 with a few clean-sweep moves.
Same-Sex Couples Are Marrying Less: What That Means for Their Finances
The marriage boom that bloomed after legalization appears to be cooling off. However, same-sex couples who don’t marry are missing out on a lot of…
12 Smart Financial Moves for the New Year
Make 2018 the year you take the steps to save money on insurance, reduce your taxes, boost your retirement savings and protect yourself from identity…
14 Dividend Aristocrats With 50+ Years of Payout Growth
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T018-S001-dividend-aristocrats-with-50-years-payout-growth/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 4, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
FAANG Stocks: Buy, Sell or Hold
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/retirement/T052-S002-faang-stocks-buy-sell-or-hold/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 4, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Right Now Is the Right Time to Prepare for the Next Bear Market
Yes, stocks have been on a record-breaking tear for a long, long time. And that’s precisely what makes it the perfect time to take a…
Find a Match to Share Your Home
Consider this alternative to senior housing or moving in with families.
QDCs: Use This Tax Strategy to Get More From 2018 RMDs
Under the new tax law, those taking RMDs can get a tax break even without itemizing by giving to charity. Here’s how qualified charitable distributions…
Sacramento Court: Only a Health Care Agent Can Contract for Placement in an RCFE
Incapacity planning is a major component of an estate plan. Quite often people name one person to serve as a health care agent and another person…
Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Trust and Estate Planning
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law on December 22, 2017, includes significant changes to the U.S. federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer…
McGuireWoods LLP State Death Tax Chart (Updated)
This State Death Tax chart is maintained for the McGuireWoods LLP Website and is updated regularly. Please see full chart below for more information….By: McGuireWoods…
Recent Cases of Interest to Fiduciaries
In the most recent installment of the McGuireWoods Fiduciary Advisory Services annual multipart series on recent fiduciary cases, developments in the law concerning various topics…
Retirees, Break Free From Low Yields
Bond funds took in about $201.9 billion in net new money in the first nine months of this year. That’s 64% more than in the…
10 Great Places to Retire If You Hate the Cold
Do you dream of retiring your days of freezing winters after exiting the full-time work world? The following retirement destinations offer warm climates that, even…
Baby Boomers are Rewriting Retirement History
Can you a remember a time when retirement didn’t exist? It wasn’t that long ago. And we might be heading that way again, because today’s…
10 Strangest Ways States Tax You (And Don't)
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T054-S001-unusual-state-tax-deductions-breaks-and-dodges/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 3, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
6 Tech Trends That Will Dominate 2018
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T058-S001-6-tech-trends-that-will-dominate-2018/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 3, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
Biggest Blockbuster Drugs of All Time
Lipitor, Humira and Advair boosted the bottom lines of Big Pharma companies and their shareholders for years.
Surprising Places to Retire If You Hate the Cold
Florida and Arizona aren’t the only options for warm-weather retirees.
Shore Up Your Financial House to Keep the Wolf Away
Retirees and those near retirement need to make sure their portfolio is built with solid bricks that can withstand the winds of risk. Here are…
Approach FAANGs With Caution
Only one of these stocks merits a buy rating in our view, and even that comes with a caveat.
What’s Mine is Mine, and What’s Ours is Now Mine
The Tennessee Supreme Court has now determined that money withdrawn from a joint checking account and placed into a certificate of deposit in the name…
Estate Planning Resolutions for 2018
Another holiday season will have come and gone before we know it. For many, the start of 2018 will be a time of empty commitment…
Changes To Estate And Gift Taxes In The New Tax Law
Estate and gift tax planning are among the many areas of tax law impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which takes effect on…
Test Your Bull Market IQ
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/quiz/investing/T038-S003-test-your-bull-market-iq/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 2, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
A Better Alternative to New Year's Resolutions
This year, make a more meaningful impact on your family and the world by writing up a Personal Legacy Statement.
All-Inclusive Resorts You Can Book for Free With Points
Some larger credit card loyalty programs make it possible to get even bigger bonuses to stay and play.
The 15 Best ETFs to Buy for a Prosperous 2018
Permalink — https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T022-S001-the-15-best-etfs-to-buy-for-a-prosperous-2018/index.html URL of source article. Date — January 2, 2018 5:00 am Publish date of source article. Source — http://www.kiplinger.com/about/rss/kiplinger.rss URL of RSS feed.
3 Best States for Taxes on Retirees
No state income tax including no taxes on Social Security benefits help place Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming among the best places to retire in…
The Impossible Reality of Long-Term Care Planning
Unless you’re very rich or very poor, you should be looking into all of the long-term care possibilities out there. Because of the costs and…
Accountant liability in the trust context
As a general rule, an accountant, qua accountant, is not a fiduciary, absent special facts. That having been said, the accountant for a trustee in…
Financial Advice for Millennials
How does a personal-finance magazine appeal to a new generation in need of a solid education in the fundamentals?
Seniors, Savers Benefit From Cost-of-Living Increases in 2018
Higher inflation has its advantages.
