Review the Plan

This holiday season, while creating new family traditions, or searching for the perfect gift for Christmas, don’t forget to think about planning for your future. Give your family the gift of memories made when they need them most....

Most people visit their doctor and their dentist for a regular annual checkup, and understand the importance of getting the oil changed in their car on a regular basis, but they fail to maintain the integrity of the plan that will provide for them in the event of their disability and transfer their assets at the time of their deaths....

Update your estate planning documents. The exclusion limit has been extraordinarily benign for the past three years, affecting only very wealthy families, but it might not remain that way. Barring Congressional action, estates of $1 million will be subject to the estate tax starting next year, and the top estate tax rate will be 55%....

The premature death of pop star Whitney Houston should serve as a reminder to everyone to make sure that their estate plans are up to date and that their trusts are properly funded. The story of Whitney Houston's death, because she was a celebrity, highlights what should be done, what was done wrong and what was done right....