17 September

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Which Small Businesses Get the 20 Percent Deduction?

When tax reform legislation was signed into law, a 20 percent deduction for owners of a variety of pass-through businesses, including limited liability companies, partnerships, so-called S corporations and sole proprietorships was created. The deduction effectively lowers a small business owner's top rate to 29.6 percent from 37 percent. However, when the legislation passed, there was ambiguity as to which "small businesses" would qualify for the preferential tax treatment. Well, the Treasury Department recently issued guidance that helps bring some clarity to this issue. Those Who Qualify for the 20 Percent Deduction The deduction can be claimed by business owners whose taxable income...

17 September

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The Importance of a Health Care Directive

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

As we age, there is a risk that our mental faculties will decline substantially or we'll suffer a sudden, unexpected health issue that leaves us incapacitated and unable to make important healthcare decisions. I've confronted this harsh reality with members of my own family. My father developed Alzheimer's and got to the point where he needed someone to step in and making important decisions on his behalf. Another tragic example is the mental decline of comedian Tim Conway, famous for his role on "The Carol Burnett Show." Conway was diagnosed with dementia and is "almost entirely unresponsive," according to MSN News....

21 August

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The Power of Being an Organ Donor

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

When it comes to planning your estate, an important issue that needs to be addressed is what you want done with your body when you pass away. Do you want to be embalmed and buried? Do you want to be cremated? Relatedly, you need to answer this important question – do you want to donate your organs? You are not required to donate your organs and, at the end of the day, it is your decision. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the potential impact you can have on other people’s lives if you decide to become an organ donor. For...

23 July

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Effective Management of Your Online Assets Critically Important for Your Digital Estate Plan

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

Ask yourself - what will happen to your Twitter account when you pass on? What about your Facebook account and Pinterest Board? What about your photos shared on a variety of social media platforms? These are important questions that need to be answered when planning your estate because your digital assets need to be part of that plan. Think about this - between 2012 and 2014, humans generated more data than in all of human history and the pace of that growth is only accelerating. Law Needs to Catch Up with Groundbreaking Technology There is an established set of laws for managing hard copy documents...

18 July

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How Your Estate Plan Can Be a Reflection of Your Values

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

There is a common misconception about the purpose of estate planning. Many people mistakenly believe that an estate plan is intended to simply transfer Asset A to Person X; a dry, legal document focused solely on stocks, bonds, property, etc. This is not accurate. An estate plan is a symbol of love and concern for the people you care about the most. It is a representation of your desire to protect your family and loved ones. An estate plan, in many ways, can be a reflection of your values. A prime example of this principle is the estate of celebrity Anthony Bourdain....

03 July

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Leaving the Ex In Control – An Estate Plan Nightmare

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

When someone passes away, there is an assumption many people make that the family and friends of a decedent will be left in charge of their deceased loved one's estate so they can divide any possessions appropriately. Unfortunately, this assumption is not accurate. There are rules and regulations in each state concerning the distribution of assets maintained in an estate and who is ultimately empowered to make those decisions. If you do not have an estate plan, or you have an outdated estate plan, you are heightening the risk that someone you are not very close to, or may even...

09 May

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Dispelling Common Myths About Living Trusts

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

Most people have a general idea of what a Last Will and Testament is and the purpose it serves. However, if you mention establishing a Living Trust, many people will look at you quizzically with no idea what you're referring to, or they'll mistakenly claim that a Living Trust is reserved for "rich people." This is not the case. In fact, there are many misconceptions surrounding Living Trusts. Below are some of the most common myths about Living Trusts and important facts you need to know. Myth No. 1 – I Don't Need a Trust Because I am Not Wealthy This is,...

28 March

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Alkaline Hydrolysis – The Future of “Green” Funerals?

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

In April 2016, Business Insider published an article titled, “Traditional Burials are Ruining the Planet.” More information has surfaced showing the environmental toll that is taken when someone is buried in a traditional casket featuring steel, wood and embalming fluid. Cremation became a popular alternative to traditional burials. In fact, cremation rates have increased to nearly 75 percent in some states, according to the Cremation Association of North America. For those people interested in being even more environmentally-conscious are considering a procedure known as “alkaline hydrolysis.” Is it right for you? Can you even do it in the state you reside in? Find out...

16 March

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You Can Now Retire in Margaritaville

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

If you’re a diehard Jimmy Buffett fan (also known as a Parrothead) you’ll now have the opportunity to go “searchin' for your lost shaker of salt” at Latitude Margaritaville, a new Florida retirement community. Jimmy Buffett is partnering with an Ottawa-based developer called Minto Communities to develop the Margaritaville-themed community in Daytona Beach, Florida. The community will eventually have close to 7,000 homes for residents age 55 and older. The homes will be built on streets affiliated with lyrics to Buffett’s 1977 mega hit “Margaritaville.” For example, you will be able to live on Flip Flop Court, Coral Reef Way or St. Somewhere...

19 February

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Should You Establish an ABLE Account? Understanding the Positives and Negatives

Posted by Bobby Feisee

in Bobby's Blog

If you, or a family member, has a long-term disability, you have the ability to establish a tax-free savings account that can be accessed to pay for certain expenses without harming your ability to qualify for Medicaid and other means-tested government programs. This option was made available through the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. Below is a list of some positives and negatives associated with ABLE accounts: Positives Associated with ABLE Accounts You can set up your own account with your own funds instead of relying on a parent or loved one to establish a first-party special needs trust. You can...