It's a safe bet that the three former wives of famed -- and now deceased -- song writer/guitarist Jerry Garcia do not hang out together listening to Grateful Dead albums.Ditto that regarding former girlfriends and children from Garcia's various relationships. Here's...
If you were asked to be the executor (often called personal representative) of a loved one's estate, that obviously means that trust was imposed in you regarding a very important matter.You were likely honored by the appointment, and accepted. Many people do. And now...
A recent Forbes article on estate administration notes that sound and timely planning is a smart strategy for a person "no matter what his or her level of worth."And the magazine goes on to note in the virtual wake of that statement that staying on top of...
You and your siblings are involved in a bitter dispute over your parents' wealth. You almost can't believe it's real. You never imagined you'd fight like this, and the passing of wealth from one generation to the next is pushing you apart. Is it just the money?...
There's an irony central to family life that is highlighted in the parent/child dynamic. And it is underscored in the role reversal that often takes place among family members. When children are young, their parents lovingly protect them, teaching important things,...
Here's a clear message for ultra-wealthy Americans who have been having bad dreams for years now that center on IRS and DOJ agents combing through the files of European financial institution for evidence of tax evasion: blissful nights of uninterrupted sleep are not...
Author John Steinbeck's novels are so highly regarded and widely loved that they were virtually destined from inception to undergo successive reincarnations as plays and films spanning decades. East of Eden is an obvious case in point, with James Dean rocketing to...
Since 2010, FATCA -- that is, the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act -- has been deemed a nemesis rather than a savior by legions of Americans living overseas.Although federal legislators undoubtedly anticipated a bit of blowback against a law they have always...
The idea of estate taxes can be troubling. If you have extensive property that has a value of $10 million or more (if you are married), estate taxes can become a very real concern. However, for some people, estate taxes are never an issue. When you pass, the last...
Trustees are central and authoritative figures regarding trust accounts, commanding a number of powers while they exercise close oversight and control over a trust's administration.Indeed, a trustee has discretion to act in a wide universe of matters, ranging from the...