Despite projections of a significant transfer of wealth from baby boomers to heirs in the coming decades, many investors may not be talking about estate planning with their financial advisors. In fact, a 2014 study found that only 35% of investors said their advisors provide family wealth management defined as a specific service.* Financial professionals
The next great wave of wealth transfer in the United States has already begun. More than $30 trillion in assets held by the baby boomer generation will shift to the next generation over the next 30 years, according to research firm Cerulli Associates. For many financial advisors, this wave represents a business-building opportunity. For others,
With the establishment of a historically high $5 million federal estate tax exemption (indexed for inflation), many taxpayers believe they do not have to plan for their estates. But federal estate taxes are only one aspect of estate planning. It’s critical to have the right documents in place and plan for potential state estate taxes
With firmly-established exemption levels for estate and gift taxes, clients have more clarity on what they can do to limit taxation of their estates. The estate and gift tax exemption is the dollar amount that an individual can transfer to heirs that is sheltered from federal estate or gift taxes. Individuals may take advantage of