News and Commentary

Weighing the Tax Risks and Rewards of Gifting Assets to Heirs During Life by Brendan T. Hayes

Posted on April 02, 2020 by Brendan Hayes

Gifting assets to family members or other beneficiaries during your life not only helps to establish your legacy for future generations, but it also provides an opportunity to reduce the size of your taxable estate. However, before making any gifts, it is important you consider how certain assets will be treated differently for tax purposes […]

UPDATED – COVID-19 Stimulus Package Provides Penalty-Free Relief for Retirement Savers, Retirees and Plan Administrators By Sean Deviney, CFP®*

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Sean Deviney

The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on March 27, 2020, offers individuals the ability to tap into their retirement savings plans, including IRAs and 401(k)s, to access needed funds without incurring early-withdrawal penalties. This relief is similar to the way in which the IRS lifts restrictions to defined contribution […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 40 – ESG Investing

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Shane Phillips

In this episode the relatable finance guys break down the pros and cons of investing with environmental, social and corporate governance priorities.

Disaster-Relief Loans Available to Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 by Todd A. Moll, CFP®, CFA

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Todd Moll

Federal and state governments have announced relief programs to help the nation’s 30 million small businesses suffering financial hardships in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Federal Aid The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in tandem with U.S. state and local government, will offer up to […]

Keep an Eye on Estate Planning Through COVID-19 Pandemic by Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Eric Zeitlin

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a profound impact on people and businesses across the globe. Lives have been lost, businesses are facing the potential of mounting losses, and an uncertain economic future is roiling the global equity markets. Through this time, families must also assess the impact of the virus on their estates […]

Critical Financial Planning for Widows and Widowers by Kathleen Marteney, CRPC

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Kathleen Marteney

The death of a spouse can be one of the most devastating events in an individual’s life. Not only must surviving spouses cope with the emotional, mental and physical turmoil of their crushing grief, but they will also face a tsunami of legal and financial decisions, including the responsibility to pay their bills, keep the […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 39 – Disruption and Why It Can Impact Your Investment Plans

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Joseph Karl

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss disruption and why it is important to think about when you are making investment plans.

Elections and Their Impact on Investor Returns by Shane Phillips, CFA, CAIA, CFP

Posted on March 03, 2020 by Shane Phillips

It’s an election year, and investors across the country are trying to predict how the markets will respond after the polling locations close and a presidential victor is announced. Will the longest economic expansion in U.S. history continue? Will stock prices continue to rise or will they start to decline? While there is no crystal […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 38 – Financial New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Shane Phillips

In this episode the relatable finance guys check in on your new year’s resolutions.

IRS Assures Taxpayers of Higher Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions Through 2025 by Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Eric Zeitlin

Ultra-wealthy families who take advantage of the historically high estate and gift tax exclusions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) have received welcomed news from the IRS. Taxpayers who rely on the very generous but temporary provisions of the new law to make gifts during tax years 2018 through 2025 will not […]

Do Foreign Persons Have U.S. Estate Tax Responsibilities? by Melvin Perez, CFP

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Melvin Perez

It is no secret that the U.S. tax code is complicated. For foreign persons, compliance with U.S. tax laws is particularly onerous, especially when considering that different rules apply for income and estate tax purposes and neither depend on an individual’s immigration status. For income tax purposes, the U.S. presumes foreign persons to be nonresident […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 37 – Don’t Let Financial Issues Lead to Divorce

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Joseph Karl

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss ways to avoid financial stress in your marriage.

Assessing Long Term Care Insurance Options by Scott Montgomery

Posted on February 05, 2020 by Scott Montgomery

When most people think of retirement, they imagine spending their time traveling and pursuing the hobbies and activities that bring them the greatest joy. Few consider that as life expectancies increase, so too do the risks that individuals will eventually require costly long-term care for assistance with daily living activities. By failing to prepare in advance […]

UPDATED Florida Becomes Fourth State in Nation to Allow Electronic Wills by Lee F. Hediger

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Lee Hediger

To encourage more people to engage in estate planning and communicate how they intend to maintain, protect and distribute their assets upon incapacitation or death, the Florida legislature in 2019 approved the use of electronic wills and certain other legal documents. While Florida allows some electronic notary services to begin as early as Jan. 1, […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 36 – How To Buy a House

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Shane Phillips

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss things you need to know to purchase a house.