By Philip J. Kavesh, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation), CFP®, ChFC, California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law I’ve found that the best way to ensure a successful new year is to start off with a big stride in the right direction, by holding a firm “kick-off” meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to establish clearly defined goals for the year, outline the implementation process and get everyone on board, excited and motivated! It also provides an action checklist that you and your firm can periodically refer back to during the year, so you stay on…
6 Signs You (or Your Staff) Are Burning Out – – And How to Fix It!
By Kristina Schneider, Practice Success Coach Burnout is real and it’s affecting businesses all over the world. Whether you’re an estate planning professional who owns your own practice or not or perhaps you’re a support staff (employee), it is important that you are aware of the signs of burnout and do what you can right now to make necessary corrections to resolve the issue. If you don’t, your own physical and mental health will be dramatically affected and possibly your business (or employment), which will then impact your personal life as well. What Is Burnout? Before I get into the…
Steve Oshins’ 2021 Estate Planning Naughty List
By Steven J. Oshins, Esq., AEP (Distinguished) Were you naughty or have you been nice in 2021? This article is directed towards Congress, all estate planners, including attorneys, accountants, trust officers, life insurance agents and financial planners. This will help you decide whether you’ve been naughty or you’ve been nice. 1. [Now Apparently Defunct] Build Back Better Act’s Potential 8% Surtax on Trusts: The language in the [now apparently defunct] proposed legislation applies a 5% surtax to taxable income (technically Modified Adjustable Gross Income) above $200,000 and an 8% surtax to taxable income above $500,000 in a non-grantor trust regardless…