Disruptive Innovations in Estate Planning (Electronic Wills)

DISRUPTIVE INNOVATIONS IN ESTATE PLANNING (Electronic Wills) BY THEUS LAW OFFICES A new disruptive innovation is on the horizon in the area of estate planning, namely electronic wills. An electronic will is one that is digitally (not physically) signed and stored electronically. Traditionally, all parties to a will (the testator, two witnesses and a notary) must [...]Continue reading

Tax Law Uncertainty Requires an Estate Plan That Can Roll with the Changes

Events of the last decade have taught us that taxes are anything but certain. Case in point: Congress is mulling abolishing gift and estate taxes as part of tax reform. So how can people who hope to still have long lifespans ahead of them plan their estates when the tax landscape may look dramatically different […]Continue reading

Bridging The Divide With A Mezzanine Loan

In their efforts to grow and succeed, many companies eventually reach the edge of a precipice. Across the divide lies a big step forward — perhaps the acquisition of a competitor or the purchase of a new property — but, financially, there’s no way across. The money is just not there. One way to bridge […]Continue reading

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

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