A Bucket List for Your Estate Plan
A 2007 movie, “The Bucket List,” followed the adventures of two older gentlemen as they completed a to-do list of activities they wanted to experience while they were still on this earth . . . more

Estate Gifts from Donor Advised Funds
It’s possible to provide a legacy to our future through beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts and most other financial arrangements, including bank accounts, CDs and brokerage accounts . . . more

AMT Planning and Charitable Giving
As part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), Congress installed a permanent “patch” for the alternative minimum tax that increases the exemption amounts and provides an annual inflation adjustment starting in 2013 . . . more

Low Interest Rates Boost Unusual Gift Strategies
“It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” according to 16th century writer John Heywood.  For example, the current low interest rate environment is great for mortgages, not so good for CDs and money market accounts, and very good for certain gift arrangements that people can use to support our programs . . . more

May 2013 Archive
• Climbing the Gift Annuity Ladder
• Creative Charitable Gift Annuity “Apps”
• Do I Really Need an Attorney to Write My Will? 
• Hidden Sources of Retirement Income

April 2013 Archive
• Give Your Estate Plan a Good Spring Cleaning
• Lock in Stock Profits, Increase Spendable Income
• A Planning Idea You Can Flip Over 
• Gifts of Excess Group Life Insurance

March 2013 Archive
• Give Income Away Before It’s Taxed
• The “Ethics” of Having a Will or Living Trust
• Q&A on Leaving a Legacy from Retirement Accounts 
• Options and Strategies for Gifts of Real Estate

February 2013 Archive
• Congress Continues Tax Bonus for Gifts of Securities
• Deduction Cutbacks Will Affect Very Few Charitable Contributors
• No “Sunset” for $5,250,000 Estate Tax Exemption 
• Charitable Remainder Trusts More Attractive to Investors in High Tax Brackets 

January 2013 Archive
• Congress OKs 2012 IRA Gifts – Extended Through January 31, 2013
• “Second to Die” (Survivorship) Life Insurance Gifts Are Economical
• My Sister Sally’s Antique Will 
• The Satisfaction of Memorial Gifts 
• “My age?  I’m 76, going on 77”

December 2012 Archive
• Don’t Forget to Plan Your Digital Estate
• Forgoing Vacation Days Can Benefit Hurricane Victims 
• A Personal Message to Friends and Family 
• Trust Solves IRA Beneficiary Puzzle