Estate planning

The U.S. House voted to repeal the 99-year-old U.S. estate tax amid a partisan clash over whether the government should break up concentrated wealth or make it easier to pass along assets to the next generation.

While these documents may seem routine, advisors should check whether clients need to revise existing provisions. Here's what to look for.

The 99-year-old U.S. estate tax would disappear under a bill approved Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee.

With estate-tax exemptions higher than they used to be, other issues (like income tax) may now be more important for some clients. Here are several planning issues that deserve a rethink.

Financial advisors often act as general managers for their clients, assembling a team of attorneys, trust companies and others to develop and maintain estate plans. Here are a few questions you should ask of your would-be teammates.

Trusts, a standard tool in the anti-estate tax arsenal, can range from simple to extremely complex. Here are a few options to work with.

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.

Gearing up for tax season? Here are two things to consider when planning for your wealthy clients.

Why is inheritance planning so difficult? Fear of exclusion along with existing family dynamics can complicate the process -- and strain relationships.

The firm will offer advisors expanded trust services and support with multi-generational family planning.

The tax and financial advantages of a charitable gift annuity are substantial, but sometimes oversold. Make sure donor clients understand how these annuities work.

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

Donating a conservation easement can be beneficial both to the environment and to a client's tax bill.

With a wider gap in tax rates, moving reported income among family members could have a big payoff. Advisors should consider a few if these strategies.

The tax and financial advantages of a charitable gift annuity are substantial, but sometimes oversold. Make sure donor clients understand how these annuities work.

Jim Casey of Integrated Wealth Management offers attendees of Schwab Impact guidance on navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of financial planning for same-sex couples.

Tax law changes mean advisors need to consider all the potential outcomes when advising clients on donating required minimum distributions to charity.

How a planner can help keep unequal inheritances from tearing a family apart.

The ignorance factor with 401(k)s; Alternatives to conventional housing in retirement; How bartering can make your retirement better

Without a security plan in place, financial affairs can become a mess if a client dies or becomes incapacitated.