Financial Planning Insights

A trust is a legal contract that plans for the distribution of an individual's assets upon their death. The document states that a trustee will hold all property until a given point in time. Unlike a will, a trust won't be subject to probate. This ensures that the estate's closing is quicker, there are no court fees, and results in reduced estate..

The Internal Revenue Services gives you, the taxpayer, some options when it comes to filing your tax return. You can file your tax return on what the United States knows as “Tax Day” which is April 15th, or you can elect to do an extension by this day. The extension will give you the opportunity to have more time to file your taxes.  

Most businesses have some type of informal or written business plan outlining operations, budget, and goals. But a surprising number do not have a written plan for the inevitability of business succession by death, retirement, or disability. It's difficult enough these days to run a business. The last problems any business entity needs are..

Tax deductions and tax credits are two items that can lower your taxes in a big way. They sound similar, and to the uninformed may be confused as synonyms. They are not.

We all know goals are vital in both business and personal life. Most of us make financial plans with certain goals in mind. We usually use the annual period as a guide to how we're doing. But a mid-year financial checkup is a great tool to catch problems early. Also, it is a great time to make any spending or budget changes that could benefit you.

What are required minimum distributions, and why do you need to make them? Required minimum distributions (RMD) are funds that must be removed each year from pre tax-funded retirement plans after you reach the required age, which is now 72. Without RMDs, the possibility exists for an inheritance scenario whereby these funds might never be taxed...

While you might not feel like early adulthood is a time to worry about financial planning, there are plenty of building blocks that can actually be put into place early on. It can be hard to think about future planning when it comes to finances, but there are simple habits and tips that can help shape your spending and financial goals for years to..

Financial planning is so important so that you can live comfortably now and in the future when you want to retire. You also want to invest wisely so that your money will continue to grow. A financial advisor is great when it comes to organizing your finances, putting you on a budget, and helping you to plan for the future. However, it can be hard..

Although it may seem a bit early to think about retirement, people in their forties should already have a plan in place. But don't let that discourage you if you don't—there is still time to build wealth in your 40s. Social security benefits are not enough to support you, so formulating a plan early will save you from working longer than you want...