Estate planning

The first step is to account for any obligations or costs, an expert says.

The next generation of clients cares less about the sanctity of marriage and more about its financial implications, an expert says.

For some clients, the amount of income that would fall into the zero tax bracket will increase by 3%, a far cry from the doubling that's been ballyhooed.

Details matter, explains an expert, like where their boat is docked.

Most Republicans support killing the estate tax as part of a tax overhaul, but doing so could have dire consequences.

Advisors must be prepared with tax and planning strategies to help when clients fall ill.

Not tapping tax-deferred retirement accounts until the age of 70 1/2 can be a wrong move, as required minimum distributions can be big enough to push retirees to a higher tax bracket.

Ensuring that a client's windfall today lasts longer than just tomorrow takes more than financial acumen, experts say.

Wealthy people in their 80s have the highest average net worth of any age bracket, according to the agency's study.

Married couples should account for the impact of death on the surviving spouse, and factor in the hefty cost of health care.

For ultrawealthy clients who own property, an adviser's starting point should be an irrevocable trust. But you can't stop there.

Certain planning techniques allow estate owners to bequeath vacation homes without triggering hard feelings and large expenses.

Most fortunes disappear by the time grandchildren have taken control.

Getting them right can be the key to a pain-free succession.

The launch comes as banks and other players in the advisory industry vie for the $30 trillion in wealth that is expected to change hands in next several decades.

Many of the president's "core principles" were similar to promises he made on the campaign trail, including a reduction to 15% in the rate for businesses.

Section 1031 of the IRS Code may seem arcane, but using it can be highly beneficial to certain clients.

Bequests, endowments and other gifts demand expertise beyond traditional tax and estate help.

Planning is particularly complicated when accounting for stepparents and stepsiblings.

There's no point in waiting on new policy to initiate preparation that is protective and vital, no matter what the ultimate law may be.