Estate planning

Advisors must realistically assess their clients' readiness for life after work.

The implementation of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 started the process of "decoupling" between the Federal estate tax and various states. As the years moved forward, many states retained a $1 million estate tax exemption amount, decoupling their exemption from the Federal amount that has ultimately risen to its current $5 million level. However, the reality is that a second decoupling just occurred in 2011, and as a result, a new state estate tax planning "loophole" has opened up, creating a planning opportunity for many clients, but only until the states close the loophole.

Legacy expert attorneys Andy and Danielle Mayoras say your clients have names and reputations that will live on after they’re gone. The estate planning guidance you provide them now will ensure their legacy and wishes are protected for generations to come.

Wilmington Trust has tapped industry veteran William T. LaFond to head up its wealth advisory business in the Washington, D.C., and Richmond markets.

Legacy expert attorneys Danielle and Andy Mayoras say the legal battle between two feuding CEOs provides yet another example of why it’s so important for advisors to make prudent succession planning decisions as their firms grow and evolve.

On the heels of major organizational changes, Northern Trust promotes two more executives in its wealth management business.

Associated Bank has hired Douglas Lee as senior vice president and trust manager on its investment advisory team in Green Bay, Wis.

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.