Recent News & Blog / Estate Planning
Do you have a will?
When a person considers an “estate plan,” he or she typically thinks of a will. And there’s a good reason: A well-crafted, up-to-date will is the cornerstone of an estate plan. Let’s take a closer look at what to include in a will. Contact the estate planning advisors at SEK with questions.
To file or not to file a gift tax return, that is the question
If you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members in 2024, you may have to file a gift tax return. The return is due by April 15 of the year after you make the gift, so the deadline for 2024 gifts is coming up soon. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more details.
Should a married couple use a joint trust or separate trusts?
If you’re married, you and your spouse must decide whether to use a joint revocable trust or separate revocable trusts. The right choice depends on your financial and family circumstances, applicable state law, and other factors. To determine which is right for you, contact the estate planning advisors at SEK.
Ensure you’re properly documenting your charitable donations
If you’re charitably inclined and itemize deductions, you may be entitled to deduct charitable donations. The key word is “may” because there are requirements you must meet. Contact the estate planning advisors at SEK with questions.
Understand your spouse’s inheritance rights before getting remarried
If you’re getting remarried, you may have different expectations than you did during your first marriage when it comes to estate planning. State laws and property rights might affect your estate plans. Contact the estate planning advisors at SEK for additional details.
Taking the long view of long-term care insurance
For many people, the possibility that they’ll incur significant long-term care (LTC) expenses is one of the biggest threats to their estate plans. A practical solution is to purchase an LTC insurance policy. This insurance generally provides benefits when you can no longer perform several basic activities of daily living. Contact the estate planning advisors at SEK with questions.
Business owner? A buy-sell agreement should be part of your estate plan
If you hold an interest in a business that’s closely held or family owned, a buy-sell agreement should be a component of your estate plan. The agreement provides for the orderly disposition of each owner’s interest after a “triggering event.” It’s essential to revisit the agreement’s valuation provision to ensure that it reflects the business’s current value. Contact the business and estate planning advisors at SEK with questions.
Maximize your year-end giving with gifts that offer tax benefits
As year end approaches, you may be thinking about tax strategies. One way to reduce potential estate taxes is to give cash gifts before Dec. 31 using the annual exclusion. In 2024, the exclusion amount is $18,000. We can also prepare a gift tax return for you. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK with questions.
Making defined-value gifts may benefit your estate plan
Making hard-to-value gifts, such as interests in a closely held business, can raise the concern of the IRS. To help avoid an unexpected outcome, consider making a defined-value gift. It’s a gift of assets valued at a specific dollar amount rather than a certain number of stock shares or FLP units or a specified percentage of a business entity. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more estate planning tips.
Don’t be afraid of probate
Few estate planning subjects are as misunderstood as probate. In basic terms, probate is the process of settling an estate and passing legal title of ownership of assets to heirs. If the deceased person has a valid will, probate begins when the executor named in the will presents the document in the county courthouse. Its biggest downside is the fact that probate is public. Contact the estate planning advisors at SEK for additional details on the probate process.