Few states boast more vacation homes than Florida. With its white sands and alluring temperatures, Florida is a fantastic place to retire. What happens, though, when an individual's estate value is questioned or even altered because of vacation home holdings? Proper treatment of second homes in an estate plan can lessen the number of problems experienced by relatives and beneficiaries after a benefactor dies. People Read More

As an owner of a small business, you may be concerned about accurately estimating yourestate value while drafting your estate planning documents. Even though tradition dictates that the heirs to a small business often suffer from a variety of legal and tax headaches, you can avoid that misery by taking the time to plan ahead. Estate planning for your small business allows you to provide for your family while making Read More

If you were one of America's richest families, how would you avoid paying estate taxes? That is a question that the Walton family, the founders of the ubiquitous Wal-Mart mega-chain, must answer on an annual basis. With an estate value reaching into the hundreds of billions of dollars, the Waltons' exploitation of legal loopholes is nothing short of admirable. Critics say that the Waltons' deft manipulation of the Read More

Even the rich and famous sometimes fail to plan ahead. That is what attorneys are saying about the late James Gandolfini, the famous 'Sopranos' actor whose estate is supposedly facing a multi-million dollar tax burden. It is not clear whether the man truly understood hisestate value, a situation that has left his estate in shambles thanks to an inadequate will. The deceased star could see as much as $30 million of Read More

Estate planning can seem like an intimidating undertaking. Many people think that they only need a will to address their estate planning needs, but a variety of options exist to help you distribute your wealth. Estate valuation experts often encounter clients who are unaware of the power of certain provisional documents in creating a complete estate plan. It is sometimes difficult to know how you can meet the real Read More

The fiscal cliff was avoided by 11th-hour decisions at the nation's capital, but the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 did not eliminate all unsavory tax requirements. The most recent changes to tax law are designed to be permanent, eliminating the potential for unexpected alterations that could alter estate valuation and planning. Experts say the new tax plan should be considered as a kind of cliff tax. People who Read More

Wealth that is concentrated in a private business can pose significant difficulties for those who want to bequeath their assets to a future generation. The federal government is likely to take a big bite out of any estate valuation actions that occur before death, unless a business owner presents a shrewdly crafted estate plan. Here are some tips to keeping your family business - and your family funds - where they Read More

Florida residents should not only be concerned with their physical wellness. They should also consider their financial wellness by frequently reviewing their estate value. This is particularly true for wealthy families who may own their own businesses. Experts advise wealthy clients to perform a mid-year checkup on their financial holdings. This is because tax savings tend to be time-sensitive. If you decide to make Read More

Many Florida residents who are preparing for their estate distribution do not realize that their spouse might lose out on retirement money when the other person passes away. This important estate valuation information should be considered before estate planning is finalized. Couples need to realize that the death of one spouse could spell financial disaster for the surviving partner if a plan is not in place. For Read More

The recent economic downturn has created a buyer's market for wealth management services. Banks throughout the nation, including South Florida, are offering a variety of incentives for people who need wealth management advice, courting clients with a wide range of perks. Banks have begun to host wealth management seminars for special populations, including women and other target groups. These events allow the firm Read More