Lisa and the 7 Steps

Lisa is a CFP® professional meeting a new client, Mark, for the first time. During their initial meeting, Lisa asks Mark about his financial goals, gathers his personal and financial information, and identifies his risk tolerance. Which step in the CFP Board’s 7-step financial planning process is Lisa primarily engaging in during this initial meeting?…

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Carryover of Losses

A client has provided the following information for income tax purposes: $55,000 salary from an S corporation where the client serves as vice-president $4,500 loss from the S corporation $2,000 loss from a 4% interest in a limited partnership $1,300 loss from a 15% interest in Bayside Partnership in which the client does not materially…

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Reducing the AMT

A client, Sarah, is a 35-year-old single mother with two young children. She has a stable job with an annual salary of $80,000 and has accumulated $50,000 in a 401(k) plan. She also has $10,000 in an emergency savings account. Sarah expresses concern about saving for her children’s college education while ensuring she has enough…

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Reducing the AMT

Which of the following tax planning ideas would help Beth the most if she currently has to pay AMT taxes? Pay her $1,000 January mortgage payment before the end of the year. Pay her $2,000 January alimony payment to her ex-husband before the end of the year. Recognize a $3,000 short term capital gain on…

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Debt Discharged in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chuck lost his job last year when his company moved their factory overseas. Chuck has been unable to find another job and had to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Which of the following debts can be discharged in the bankruptcy? $10,000 of rent he owes his landlord $20,000 of taxes he owes the IRS…

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Underinsured Dwelling Penalty

Sam carries an H0-3 policy with $500,000 of coverage and a $2,000 deductible. It would cost $700,000 to rebuild Sam’s house. How much will his insurance company pay on a $200,000 claim related to a fire that started in Sam’s kitchen? $176,571 $178,571 $231,235 $198,000 CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. Sam…

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Saving for a Retirement Goal

Erika wants $50,000 a year in today’s dollars in retirement. She anticipates retiring in 10 years and living in retirement for 30 years. Erika can earn 7% on her investments and she expects inflation to average 4%. Approximately how much should Erika have saved by the day she retires to meet this goal? $913,000 $983,000…

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Owner of a Grantor Trust

In which of the following situations would the grantor of a trust not be considered the owner? The grantor has a reversionary interest in the trust, of which the grantor’s son is the sole beneficiary, but the grantor cannot exercise this power until eight years after transfer of property to the trust. The grantor retains…

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Characteristics of a Will

Which of the following statements concerning a Will are correct? A will can be altered, amended, or completely rewritten at any time before a person’s death. A will cannot be rewritten but can be amended at any time by a codicil. A will must be signed by the maker and usually must be witnessed by…

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