Monthly Archives: March 2012

Who Inherits Your Debt?

Posted on by under Business Succession Planning, Digital Estate Planning, Estate Planning, Family Business, Kansas, Missouri, Probate, Small Business, Trusts, Wills

An interesting discussion on CNBC’s website of what happens when you die with different types of debt. Spring is the perfect time of year to review and update your estate plan. Give me a call or email me if I can help you with the estate planning process this spring.

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

The Demographics of Wealth Concentration

Posted on by under Business Succession Planning, Business Transitions, Dynasty Trusts, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Family Business, Kansas, Missouri, Retirement, Small Business, Trusts, Wills

The Wall Street Journal has this story about the latest demographic study of wealth concentration. The WSJ notes that (1) the concentration of multi millionaires mainly tracks the population and (2) the number of high network individuals in a community and their relative concentration within that community may be very different. As always, if we can help with your estate planning or small business needs, call or email us for a convenient appointment.

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

Heckerling Insights on Family Businesses and Gift Planning

Posted on by under Business Succession Planning, Business Transitions, Dynasty Trusts, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Family Business, Family Limited Partnerships, Gift Tax, Gifts to Minors, Illiquid Assets, Kansas, LLCs, Missouri, Small Business

Here’s the first part of the Trusts and Estates annual roundup from the Heckerling Institute in Florida. The Heckerling Institute is America’s premier estate planning seminar for attorneys and other professionals. If we can help you with your family business, gift planning, or other estate planning, call or email us.

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

Bad Demographic News for Baby Boomers

Posted on by under Business Succession Planning, Business Transitions, Dynasty Trusts, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Family Business, Family Limited Partnerships, Generation Skipping Tax, Gift Tax, Gifts to Minors, Kansas, Missouri, Small Business, Trusts, Wills

If you’re a member of the Baby Boomer generation, you would be well advised to read this demographic study regarding investment returns and retirement planning. If we can help you optimize your estate plan for your retirement needs, please give us a call or send us an email, and we look forward to meeting with you.

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.

When Does “Forever” Mean Forever and Donor’s Intent

Posted on by under Business Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Family Business, Trusts

Here’s an interesting Wall Street Journal story regarding a colonial era gift to a Massachusetts school and the meaning of forever as it applies to the donor’s intent. Clearly expressing donor intent in charitable giving or in your estate planning documents is vital. If I can help you clearly express your charitable intent or discuss your estate plan with you, please call or email me to schedule a convenient appointment.

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.