What is a Trust and what are the Benefits? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Trusts are becoming a popular way to structure business and personal affairs. If you are considering using a trust in any way, you should be clear on the legal obligations and the relationships involved. Always make sure you obtain proper advice before setting up a trust. Most lawyers are proficient in this area, but it is still advisable to talk to a legal advisor specialising in this area.

New Rules for Revocable Living Trust Accounts and FDIC Insurance (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

On January 13, 2004, the FDIC adopted new rules for insurance coverage of living trust accounts. The new rules, which are effective on April 1, 2004, are summarized below.

Business Coaching Legacy: Reflections on What You Want to Leave Behind? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Updating my will has been on my mind for quite some time now. Life circumstances change, kids grow-up, financial situations changes. I procrastinated for a very long time about this will. Now that it is, I feel very satisfied and pleased. There is peace in that corner of my mind that nagged and nagged about it for so long. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that people, myself included, avoid making out wills because they don't want to confront their own mortality or have to face up to making difficult decisions.

How to Reduce the Estate Tax Using the A-B Revocable Living Trust (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

In a past article I relayed the plight of the widow who stated:

"I didn't realize what an A-B Revocable Living Trust meant and that it had to be divided between the survivor and the deceased spouse and that I am limited as to what I can use from his share."

Arizona Assisted Living Homes -- The Alternative to High Priced Senior Care (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

The cost of skilled nursing care is slowly rising. Currently, the average cost of care in Arizona ranges from $3,500 to $4,500 per month. Skilled nursing facilities are great for seniors who require skilled nursing care by medical professionals such as registered nurses or physicians. However, is skilled nursing care appropriate for those who only require assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing and going to the bathroom? Is it realistic for someone to pay $3,000 to $6,000 a month for skilled nursing care when their only requirement is assistance with their ADLs? Believe it or not, there are many seniors who do not require skilled nursing care and remain in nursing homes due to their lack of knowledge of the options available to them. There are affordable alternatives to nursing home care. When a senior requires long term care without 24 hour medical supervision, the preferred alternative is Assisted Living Homes.

Trust is Prosperity (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

A while back the Lord had given me this message which has prompted me to study it further and find out just what He meant. He told me, "Trust is Prosperity". Somehow I felt His love surround me and I wasn't quite sure what He meant, but I knew that my trust in Him would prosper me in ways I had not even thought about, not just financial. Prosperity engulfs many things, both physical and spiritual. It could be our health, our attitudes, the condition of our spiritual life, and somehow I think the financial end of it is on the far end of this prosperity. I realize that first we must be spiritualy whole before the material prosperity ever enters in to the picture.

The Revokable Trust: Is it Really Revocable? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

The revokable trust, really spelled as the revocable trust, or the revocable living trust, but many refer to as the revokable trust or the revokable living trust, is a very popular and common estate planning tool. But is it really revocable? You may be surprised.

Listening to Your Heart! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Trying to predict stock price movements is necessary, of course. After all, when stock prices fall, the cost of borrowing and of issuing new equity can rise, and falling stock prices can both undercut the confidence of employees and customers and handicap mergers. Unfortunately, however, most of these predictions are no more than rough guesses, because the tools CEOs use to make them are not very accurate. Net present value (NPV) may be useful for estimating the long-term intrinsic value of shares, but it is famously unreliable for predicting their price over the next few quarters. Conversations with sample groups of investors and analysts, conducted by the company or by investment bankers, are no more reliable for gauging market reactions.

Why Bother With a Life Insurance Settlement? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

A life insurance settlement is the amount of money your beneficiary collects when you die during the term specified under the life insurance policy. The premiums you pay depend on the type of life insurance and the amount of the settlement you want to have if and when the life insurance company has to pay out. You might get a life insurance policy a lot cheaper if you opt for term life insurance because there is a possibility that you will never get to collect the life insurance settlement.

Why Probate? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Nobody voluntarily chooses probate. People are too busy or preoccupied with health or other issues to plan. They pass away without a living trust and their heirs----usually their children---- find that they can't sell Mom or Dad's house without a court order or can't transfer Mom or Dad's bank account without court approval. Even with a will, they may be forced to file a probate proceeding.

Say What? You Don't Have An Estate Plan . . . ! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

If you haven't taken the time to prepare your estate plan, you're not alone. According to a survey conducted by FindLaw.com, a whopping 55% of Americans haven't even taken the time to have a will prepared, and 67% don't have a living will in case they become incapacitated or terminally ill.

6 Reasons Why You Should Have a Living Trust (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

If you've ever thought about a living trust, it's probably because you hate the idea of going through probate. Living trusts have been heavily marketed on that basis over the past several years and, yes, living trusts certainly do avoid probate. But, there's a whole lot more to living trusts than just that. In fact, avoiding probate is not even oneof the top three reasons for a living trust. In my opinion, it's #4. To set the record straight, here are the top 6 reasons why you should have a living trust.

Turbocharged Financial Planning (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Financial planning is an ongoing process individuals and businesses should implement by organizing all aspects of their finances. This will assist in identifying financial goals, providing a comprehensive written Financial Plan, and implementing the plan in accordance with the objectives that are most important to you.

An Estate Planning Primer (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

An estate plan can be designed by clients and their professional advisors to achieve the client's personal and financial objectives. Or, it can be an arrangement imposed upon survivors by state intestate succession laws if someone dies with-out a valid, up-to-date will. Even though a will is the most basic estate plan-ning tool, two out of three Americans die without one.

Rearrange Your Affairs For Maximum Tax Savings (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

One way to maximize your business profits is by reducing your taxes. Frequently, income and other taxes could be lowered significantly if only the taxpayer were willing to plan ahead. By taking some simple steps to rearrange your affairs, you could save a fortune!

Planning for Real Estate with Estate Planning (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

One of the most important considerations you will need to make in regards to your real estate holdings and your estate includes tax planning. If not handled properly, your estate could end up getting hit with significant losses due to taxes after your demise. To protect yourself and your estate against this possibility, it's important to plan for your real estate with estate planning.

Investing In Commercial Property (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Why commercial property?

Compared to residential property investments, commercial property offers some key advantages:

Do You want to Live on Macaroni and Cheese when You Retire or Filet Mignon? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

How Much Money Will I Need to Earn to Retire?

This is the most common concern of people who are contemplating retirement. While most financial planners would tell you that you need to earn as much in retirement as you did while you were working, this isn't always the case. Much of this depends on your lifestyle.

Try Unsecured Loans! If The Word 'Secured' Doesn't Fit Your Financial Statement (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Big financial goals, no security to supply - it is the perfect circumstances to opt for unsecured loans. Online lending ways have made unsecured loans both accessible and full of innovative options. Unsecured loans have created a niche for themselves in the loan industry and providing good relief from financial restraint.

Wealth Creation and Mortgage Planning - Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

What if I were to tell you that almost everything you have been told about what to do with your home has been absolutely wrong and that one of the worst ways to build wealth is through your home? And what if I further went on to show you that anyone who perpetuates this myth probably is not your best source for accurate financial information?