Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Key Provisions Affecting Estate Planning

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) is a sweeping revision of the tax code that alters federal law affecting individuals, businesses and estates. Focusing specifically on estate tax law, the TCJA doesn’t repeal the federal gift and estate tax. It does, however, temporarily double the combined gift and estate tax exemption and […]Continue reading

First Time for Strategic Planning

As a business owner, you know that it’s easy to spend nearly every working hour on the multitude of day-to-day tasks and crises that never seem to end. It’s essential to your company’s survival, however, to find time for strategic planning. Lost in the Weeds Business owners put off strategic planning for many reasons. New […]Continue reading

7 Steps to Choosing a Successor for Your Family Business

There’s an old saying regarding family-owned businesses: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” It means the first-generation owner started in shirtsleeves and built the company up from nothing but, by the third generation, the would-be owner is back in shirtsleeves with nothing because the business failed or was sold. Although you can’t guarantee your company […]Continue reading

Properly Planning for Incapacity Requires Specific Estate Planning Strategies

Most estate plans focus on what happens after you die. But without arrangements for what will happen in the event you become mentally incapacitated, your plan is incomplete. If an accident, illness or other circumstances render you unable to make financial or health care decisions — and you don’t have documents in place to specify […]Continue reading

Appointing the Right Trustee for Your Living Trust Provides Peace of Mind

A living trust is a cornerstone of many estate plans. During your life, you can serve as the trustee and manage the assets just as you would if you owned them outright. However, you must choose a trustee to oversee and administer the trust after your death (and during your lifetime, should you become unable […]Continue reading

Make New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Profitability

Many people scoff at New Year’s resolutions. It’s no mystery why — these self-directed promises to visit the gym regularly or read a book a month tend to quickly fade once the unavoidable busyness of life sets in. But, for business owners, the phrase “New Year’s resolutions” is just a different way of saying “strategic […]Continue reading

Address Your Pet in Your Estate Plan Using a Pet Trust

If you’re an animal lover, a pet is a member of the family — sometimes even more so than flesh-and-blood. So you want to ensure that your beloved pet is cared for after you’re gone. One way to do so is to make provisions for your pet through a trust. This legally sanctioned arrangement allows […]Continue reading

Get Smart: How AI Can Help Your Business

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution isn’t coming — it’s here. While AI’s potential for your company might not seem immediately obvious, this technology is capable of helping businesses of all shapes and sizes “get smart.” AI generally refers to the use of computer systems to perform tasks commonly thought to require human intelligence. Examples include […]Continue reading

Who Should Be The Guardian of Your Minor Children?

If you have minor children, arguably the most important estate planning decision you have to make is choosing a guardian (a/k/a “Tutor” in Louisiana) for them should the unthinkable occur. It’s critical to put much thought into this decision to ensure your children would be cared for as you wish in such a situation. Evaluating […]Continue reading

Cutting Costs When You’ve Gone Over Budget

Year end can’t get here soon enough for some business owners — especially those whose companies have exceeded their annual budgets. If you find yourself in this unenviable position, you can still cut costs to either improve this year’s financial picture or put yourself in a better position for next year. Tackle Staffing Issues It’s […]Continue reading

Theus Law Offices