ABCs of HSAs: How an HSA Can Benefit Your Estate Plan

One health care arrangement that has been soaring in popularity in recent years has been the pairing of a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The good news is that not only does an HSA provide a tax-advantaged way to pay for health care costs, but it also can help you […]Continue reading

THE COST OF A REVOCABLE TRUST IN LOUISIANA (Does It Measure Out?)

THE COST OF A REVOCABLE TRUST IN LOUISIANA (Does It Measure Out?) BY THEUS LAW OFFICES Mrs. Gladys Holsum received an invitation to a free educational seminar about estate planning. At the seminar, after a long parade of horribles, Gladys was told she needed a revocable trust to avoid an impending calamity. She was told that [...]Continue reading

Don’t Let “Founder’s Syndrome” Impede Your Succession Plan

Are you the founder of your company? If so, congratulations — you’ve created something truly amazing! And it’s more than understandable that you’d want to protect your legacy: the company you created. But, as time goes on, it becomes increasingly important that you give serious thought to a succession plan. When this topic comes up, […]Continue reading

Charitable Giving Pièce de Résistance: Artwork Donations

Charitable giving is a key part of estate planning for many people. If you’re among them and own valuable works of art, they may be ideal candidates for charitable donations during your life. Generally, it’s advantageous to donate appreciated property because, in addition to gaining a valuable tax deduction, you can avoid capital gains taxes. […]Continue reading

How Profitable are Your Customers?

“We love our customers!” Every business owner says it. But all customers aren’t created equal, and it’s in your strategic interest to know which customers are really strengthening your bottom line and by how much. Sorting Out the Data If your business systems track individual customer purchases, and your accounting system has good cost accounting […]Continue reading

Tax Basis Planning Worth a Look if Estate Taxes Aren’t a Threat

For many people today, income tax planning offers far greater tax-saving opportunities than gift and estate tax planning. A record-high gift and estate tax exemption — currently $5.49 million ($10.98 million for married couples) — means that fewer people are subject to those taxes. If gift and estate taxes aren’t a concern for your family, it can […]Continue reading

5 Ways to Dance Through Digital Disruption

You’ve probably heard the term and wondered whether it could happen to your company. Maybe it already has. We’re referring to “digital disruption” — when new technologies and business models affect the value proposition of existing goods and services. Perhaps the most notorious recent example of this is the rise of ride-sharing companies such as […]Continue reading

Find the Right Path Forward with KPIs

From the baseball field to the boardroom, statistical analysis has changed various industries nationwide. With proper preparation and guidance, business owners can have at their fingertips a wealth of stats-based insight into how their companies are performing — far beyond the bottom line on an income statement. The metrics in question are commonly referred to […]Continue reading

Estate Tax Relief For Family Businesses Is Available … In The Form Of A Deferral

If a substantial portion of your wealth is tied up in a family or closely held business, you may be concerned that your estate will lack sufficient liquid assets to pay federal estate taxes. If that’s the case, your heirs may be forced to borrow funds or, in a worst-case scenario, sell the business in […]Continue reading

Have You Properly Funded Your Revocable Trust?

If your estate plan includes a revocable trust — also known as a “living” trust — it’s critical to ensure that the trust is properly funded. Revocable trusts offer significant benefits, including asset management (in the event you become incapacitated) and probate avoidance. But these benefits aren’t available if you don’t fund the trust. The […]Continue reading

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