In a recent meeting with a select group of estate planning professionals, probate specialist, Peter Wright of Sirote & Permutt P.C., outlined a number of issues that increase the frequency of lawsuits after the death of a family member. Here a few of the more common areas of concern: Poor family communication. In Peter’s experience, by […]
Children Suing Siblings Over Money
New Middle-Class Income Tax Coming
This week is Estate Planning Week all across the nation and we want everyone to know how important it is to have a properly drawn will and accompanying estate planning documents. Ross Cohen, president of the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham, has this to say, “Estate planning is an all-important matter for every person […]
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Do taxes influence behavior? You bet! And a recent analysis by USA TODAY shows that significantly increasing the taxes of tobacco products resulted in a marked decrease in tobacco use. Early in President Obama’s first term he signed legislation that raised federal taxes on cigarettes from thirty-nine cents per pack to just over $1 with the […]
Free Financial Advice…Just for the Asking
In these times of economic chaos, people are not sure where to turn for help in navigating through the financial headwinds. Well help is just around the corner and it’s free! All across the nation, professional financial planners are celebrating Financial Planning Week by offering free advice to anyone seeking answers to their most perplexing questions. In […]
Free Financial Advice…Just for the Asking
In these times of economic chaos, people are not sure where to turn for help in navigating through the financial headwinds. Well help is just around the corner and it’s free! All across the nation, professional financial planners are celebrating Financial Planning Week by offering free advice to anyone seeking answers to their most perplexing questions. In […]
The Federal Reserve: Three Strikes…You’re Out!
Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, just announced that the Fed will embark on yet another round of ‘quantitative easing’. Let’s call this round QE-Unknown. It’s unknown because he set no end date for the program and indicated that the Fed would purchase about $40 billion of mortgaged-backed securities on a monthly basis until such time as they, […]
40-Something Retirement Strategy
Reader Question: There seems to be lots of articles written about retirement planning for the ‘just getting started’ as well as the ‘I’m about to retire’ crowds but precious little written for the ‘I’m in my 40’s’ crowd. I am forty years old; make about $150,000 per year; have $350,000 in my 401k which I contribute […]
Choosing the Best Financial Advisor
Reader’s Question: I need help! The world of personal finances and investing has become so complex that I feel there is no way to stay abreast of all the different types of investments and investment/financial planning strategies. I know the best athletes all have coaches so it seems logical to hire an investment and financial planning ‘coach’ […]
How Risky Are Bonds?
Reader’s Question: In a recent column you commented that bond holdings may face trouble ahead. Given the diversity of different types of bonds (muni’s, treasuries, corporate bonds, international bonds, long bonds, short bonds, etc.) your advice seemed over-generalized. Are you suggesting all bonds are headed for trouble? Could you be more specific? K.Z. Answer: Bonds values move inversely with […]
Reader Question: Where to Invest My Cash?
Reader’s question: I’m in my early sixties and have $81,000 in my bank money market account and don’t know what to do with it. I have never bought a stock or mutual fund in my life. I’m obligated under a court decree to pay for my son’s (age 14) college, which may mean I can never retire! I […]