Tracy Craig

While gifting can have important benefits, not every client will be in favor of it, no matter how many good reasons exist.

Once the ink on the marriage license is dry, couples should make a series of moves to protect both themselves and their finances.

The beginning of the year is a great time to handle many estate planning tasks. Use this to-do list with clients to give their plans a review and update.

Here are the key pieces of paperwork that can help jumpstart estate planning for your younger clients -- or for your clients' adult children.

Failure to set up a clear plan may result in children owning the home as tenants-in-common, in equal shares -- typically a recipe for disaster.

These instruments can be very powerful estate planning tools. Here are five situations in which a revocable trust might be helpful for clients.

Because a trustee will have control over assets, choosing the wrong trustee can thwart a client's best laid plans.

A pet trust can dictate the type of care a pet will receive after its owner is gone and supply funds for that care.

Many states have updated their trust laws, providing simpler techniques to help trustees deal with the challenges of irrevocable trusts.

A smoother prenup process can ease clients' embarrassment and protect their financial well-being.

An estate plan reflects the present state of clients' lives, with an overlay of applicable laws. Here's how to tell when a plan needs an update.

Here's how to help clients maximize both the charitable and tax benefits of any donation.

Clients often walk in the door with an idea about how they’d like to leave their assets. It’s an advisor’s job to help them understand issues they may not have considered.