Blog
Custodial Accounts and Gifting
Course: Estate PlanningLesson 13: Case Study Online Student Question: If a check given by Mary to Peter was deposited into a custodial acct where Mary was the custodian, doesn’t that mean that Mary didn’t give up ALL control, so it’s not a complete gift? Instructor Response: Generally, the donor must give up all ownership and…
Read MoreOASDI Disability Income Benefits
Which of the following statements concerning OASDI disability income benefits is correct? Disability is defined as the inability to perform all major duties of the insured’s own occupation. Unless specifically exempted, a waiting period of 12 months must be satisfied. If the disabled worker is also receiving workers compensation benefits, the full OASDI benefit is…
Read MoreGet In Trouble with the SEC — You’re In Trouble with CFP Board
CFP® Certificants in the News CFP® certificants licensed to sell securities are subject to SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) if they make recommendations to retail customers. This article illustrates the reach of Reg BI into potential CFP Board discipline. Here’s the game plan: Identify key terms, Disclose SEC involvement in a Reg BI violation,…
Read MoreValue of Life Insurance in Buy-Sell Agreements
Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 17: Business Uses of Life Insurance Student Question: Do buy sell agreements accounts for projected growth of the company? Do the life insurance benefits increase over time to account for projected growth, or perhaps can they invest and grow conservatively to keep up with inflation (or COLA on the plan)? Instructor Response:…
Read MoreWhich Trust is it?
Kathleen transferred her closely held stock to a trust for the benefit of her two daughters. Kathleen will receive a $50,000 distribution each year for the next 10 years from the trust. At the end of the trust term, Kathleen’s daughters will each receive 50% of the remaining trust assets. What type of trust did…
Read MoreProtect Concentrated Positions With No Out-of-Pocket Cost
Good to Know Unmanaged concentrated position risk can be a ticking time bomb in your client’s portfolio. For example, one of the nation’s oldest (founded in 1879) and most respected banks was trading at $38/share in 2007. It had a long-term, loyal stockholder following, many of whom with holdings – accumulated over generations – valued…
Read MoreDeducting Gifts to Customers
Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Can you clarify the deductibility of gifts when we’re talking about employees of a business versus self-employed individuals? It seems the rules have changed on these. Instructor Response: An employee (W2 employee or statutory employee) can no longer deduct unreimbursed gifts to…
Read MoreAppropriate Valuation Method
Sam McBuck has an estate of $10 million and would like to leave it to his nephews. Sam assumes he will live for at least 5 more years. The property in Sam’s estate currently includes the following assets: – An apartment building in downtown New York that Sam owns with three partners, each of whom…
Read MoreFinancial Planning and Happy Marriages
Good to Know Question: What can be a more common cause for divorce than infidelity? Answer: Unresolved money conflicts.1 While being on the same page over money may not guarantee the coveted fiftieth anniversary, fighting over money can undermine marriages well before the golden anniversary. The issues vary, but communication around marital finances can…
Read More