Friday, October 29, 2010 Press Coverage of Estate Planning this Week (October 29, 2010)
Paul Katzeff of Investor’s Business Daily discusses why low interest rates make grantor retained annuity trusts (GRAT) and charitable lead trusts (CLT) attractive estate planning strategies. He also discusses key differences between GRATs and CLTs, for instance GRATs are preferred for assets with high appreciation potential, while CLTs can offer upfront income tax deductions. See Estate Strategies Helped By Low Interest Rates (Oct. 22, 2010).
Chris Kennedy writes in the Visalia Times-Delta about what a fiduciary is and does. Generally, fiduciaries cover a variety of roles in which an individual serves in a position of trust by accepting responsibility for taking care of the property and/or needs of another person, for the benefit of that person. Fiduciaries can be family members or non-family professional fiduciaries, and specific roles include acting as a person’s conservator or trustee. See The Roles of the Fiduciary Are Many (Oct. 23, 2010).
Chris Barth of Forbes offers advice on organizing your affairs so that your spouse has the information necessary to run the family finances if anything should happen to you. Steps to take include: keeping a list of computer passwords and logins; listing financial and professional advisors; keeping estate plan documents up to date; and ensuring beneficiary designations are up to date. See How to Protect Your Spouse Financially After You’re Gone (Oct. 27, 2010). |