Children and Money

Tough Decisions

When Should You Talk to Your Children About Money And Your Estate? Children and money are a tough blend.  One or both are at the root of either conflict or oneness in marriage. What should you tell your children about your estate? How much do you tell them about your personal or business finances? How…

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Spousal Lifetime Access Trust

Spousal Lifetime Access Trust

What is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)? A Spousal Lifetime Access Trust or “SLAT” is an Irrevocable Trust that: Provides specific support for a spouse for life Is excluded from the taxable estates of both spouses If everything goes as planned, ultimately passes more than the exclusion amount to the children or other designated…

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Family Office

Family Office

The Family Office The “Family Office” is a tool that has long been used by the “ultra-wealthy.”  It’s primary function is to consolidate control of family wealth.  Such control is, by its nature, necessarily a business activity.  In other words, the Family Office runs the business of managing the family wealth.  In today’s world, the…

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Statements of Wishes

Statements of Wishes

STATEMENTS OF WISHES IDENTIFYING VALUES, CREATING INCENTIVES, ESTABLISHING POLICIES Statements of Wishes Statements of Wishes, or what is sometimes called a Letter of Wishes, have long been used in international trusts and off-shore planning.  Historically they derived from Testamentary Trusts. For decades, we have used them with inter vivos trusts or living trusts and irrevocable dynasty trusts.…

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