Posted on: January 1, 2024
Did you know that irrevocable trusts can be modified? If you did not, you are not alone. The name lends itself to that very misconception. However, the truth is that changes in laws, family, trustees, and finances can frustrate the trustmaker’s original intent when the trust was created. Or, sometimes, an error in the trust […]
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Posted on: December 31, 2023
While many wines improve with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you are the beneficiary of a trust created by your great-grandfather over 70 years ago, and that trust no longer makes sense. Or maybe you created an irrevocable trust over 20 years ago, which no longer makes sense for […]
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Posted on: December 21, 2023
In this imaginative letter, the fictional character Gretl Von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" shares her reflections and estate planning insights with her parents, Captain Georg and Maria Von Trapp. Dear Father and Maria, As I sit on a bench at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, memories of our melodies and adventures in […]
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Posted on: December 20, 2023
During the holiday season, the challenge of caring for aging parents often comes to the forefront. Drawing lessons from Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections," this post delves into navigating family care dynamics, offering valuable insights for those facing similar family situations. Understanding and Empathy in Aging "The Corrections" paints a vivid picture of Alfred's battle with […]
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Posted on: December 19, 2023
On a Saturday in December, you might do some holiday shopping at the Domain. And perhaps, if you find yourself with a Woodford Reserve Manhattan cocktail at Maggiano's, with Frank Sinatra and Perry Como on the soundtrack, your mind might wander in a slightly transgressive direction. Drawing inspiration from an unlikely source, "The Godfather" movies, […]
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Posted on: December 18, 2023
Amid Austin's vibrant life, parents often juggle professional responsibilities and family time. Perhaps while enjoying a weekend at Lake Austin Spa Resort, legacy planning becomes increasingly relevant when one gets a chance to remove oneself from the daily hustle and find time to reflect on the longer term. Effective legacy planning strategies for professionals balancing […]
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Posted on: December 17, 2023
As families in Austin enjoy the vibrant holiday lights at the JW downtown, their conversations often turn toward a less festive but critically important topic: the impending changes in estate tax exemptions set for 2026. For high-income parents with minor children, understanding and preparing for these changes is essential in navigating the 2026 estate tax […]
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Posted on: December 13, 2023
Business ownership is a fulfilling and exciting endeavor. Still, it also comes with rules, responsibilities, and reporting requirements that can be hard to track. Suppose you own a small business or have a Trust that owns a business interest. In that case, you must comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) come January unless you […]
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Posted on: December 13, 2023
In December 2022, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act, significantly changing retirement savings, college savings, and student loans. Two critical parts of the Secure 2.0 Act take effect in 2024 and could substantially impact your family's financial future. This blog explains how the new law affects your unused 529 college savings account and what that […]
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