Estate planning

Wintrust Financial Corporation has added a new member to its wealth services team in a push to expand in the Chicago market and its suburbs.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say that contrary to preliminary reports, British songstress Amy Winehouse did not have a will in place at the time of her death—an estate planning mistake that advisors and their clients can’t afford to make.

A three-part plan that enables advisors to go beyond basic financial planning.

Legacy expert attorneys Danielle and Andy Mayoras say planners with clients whose families are involved in this type of legal struggle over an elderly parent should keep in mind that there are two sides (at least) to every story, and allegations of a parent’s care or finances being compromised are not always easy to prove.

Commerce Bank promoted a portfolio manager in Kansas City to vice president and market executive for its trust operation’s central Missouri region.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras – along with everyone else – have now had a chance to take a look at Whitney Houston’s will. That the deceased music superstar opted for a will rather a living trust points to some shortcomings in her overall estate planning strategy.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say the pop star's been very busy lately but it remains unclear what – if any – decisions she’s making herself and illustrates the importance of informed legal and estate planning regardless of your station in life.

Helping clients identify and separate sources of income to face the challenges of getting older.

HNW clients are price sensitive, but advisors have made their case as the economy comes out of the financial crisis.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say it won’t be long before the recently deceased pop star’s estate planning efforts – or lack thereof – will come to light.

U.S. Bank acquired the units of Union Bank’s institutional trust business that focus on retirement plans, labor management trusts, and registered investment advisors,

With trust harder to come by, advisors should lean on personalized services and product fluency.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say most of music diva Whitney Houston’s purported financial woes could have been averted had she and her family sought out and received professional financial and estate planning advice before things turned sour.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say it’s not too late to help your clients tackle an issue that should be among their most important resolutions in the New Year: estate planning.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say the billonaire's case serves as a reminder that too many people make the estate planning mistake of relying on verbal or written promises that contradict their will or trust.

It took years for the great civil right activist’s final wishes to finally be honored, something that legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say could have been resolved much sooner had she done a better job – or had better advice and professional assistance – with her estate planning.

Understand the three levels of happiness and be ready to connect them with their financial-planning equivalents.

The principle behind the annual gift tax exclusion is to shelter gifts commonly made on birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions. However, many high-net-worth individuals may also utilize the annual gift tax exclusion as a strategy to mitigate the impact of future estate taxes.

The principle behind the annual gift tax exclusion is to shelter gifts commonly made on birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions. However, many high-net-worth individuals may also utilize the annual gift tax exclusion as a strategy to mitigate the impact of future estate taxes. According to Richard Behrendt, director of estate planning for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group, the timing of making year-end gifts is important because a transfer of property is treated as a completed gift for federal gift tax purposes only after the donor has unconditionally relinquished all dominion and control over the transferred property. Even if the donor has no intention of revoking (taking back) the gift, simply retaining the ability to revoke the gift through the end of the year could shift the completion of the gift into the next calendar year. Under the Internal Revenue Code, individuals may give up to $13,000 to an unlimited number of non-charitable beneficiaries in each calendar year. Married couples may double-up and make combined gifts of up to $26,000 to children, grandchildren, or other non-charitable beneficiaries. Here are six rules investors need to consider before making any year-end gifts.

The accountant and attorney for the estate of a 104-year-old copper mine heiress who died earlier this year have been under investigation for their handling of their client's finances, and the accountant has now resigned as executor.