The control that the artist Prince assiduously maintained over his creative property during his life was tighter than a rusted nut. YouTube searches turned up precious little for those who tried to listen to his recordings and concerts on the cheap. Given such attention to detail it, it surprised...

Retirement planning is the major focus of many financial advisory firms – but guiding clients to a safe and prosperous retirement remains one of the great challenges that advisors face. So what does retirement planning really mean? Simply put, it requires the advisor to help their clients systematically...

On occasion, a client walks through our door who makes more than they can spend – complaining openly about how much they’re paying in income taxes on money they don’t even need. Sounds crazy, I know, but it happens and we must face the facts and address it nonetheless. While this “problem”...

Current estimates tell us that qualified plans hold over $25 trillion – more than the national debt to put it in perspective. That number also represents the current gross amount, which is subject to income taxes – some of which will be susceptible to estate taxes as well. As advisors, helping our clients...

In the search for gift opportunities, the change in conversation that occurs when that place is reached is pivotal in how the advisor is perceived in the eyes of the client. Going from product salesperson to confidant doesn’t happen easily, but identifying and discussing gifting opportunities with...

The collision of technology and knowledgeable insight in the mid-1980s was a huge factor in opening the planned giving field – creating the first software, Philanthro-Tec, that illustrated the true benefits of charitable remainder trusts and placed it in the hands of hundreds of financial advisors. Up...

Tax returns are an interesting read for even the non-accountant advisor.  If you know where to look they can reveal much information about the activities and interests of the taxpayer that even he or she has forgotten, and disclose assets that aren’t on the financial statement.  Discovering them...

We continue our series on helping advisors spot gift opportunities by looking at client data with a new set of eyes – this article takes a less traditional gift planning approach to pre-business sale strategies. Business owners represent the perfect demographic for planned giving discussions - and those...

We have discussed previously how a business sale can be a windfall for charitable giving opportunities [LINK]. Lottery winnings, law suit settlements, or an inheritance from great aunt Sarah are also instances where the money may arrive completely unpredictably. If you happen to be in the right place...

We are well into the New Year and now your wealthy clients can pass away a little richer than if they had not made it to the most recent Rose Parade. Here are three things to pass on to those you advise concerning taxation of their estate at death: The federal gift and estate tax lifetime exemption...