Using Trusts to Pass an Inheritance to Minor Children
Our experts discuss a case study where the use of a trust would have solved the problem of a child inheriting property and assets.
Market Roundup: Markets Languished, as They Have for Most of the Summer
Monday saw several blue-chip stocks, including IBM, Chevron and Apple, trading lower. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 4.1% to settle at $45.17 a barrel. Personal income growth rose 0.4% in June, while consumer spending ticked up by 0.2%, missing expectations of 0.3%. Indices continued downward on Tuesday, despite news that orders for manufactured goods gained 1.8% in June, in line with the consensus forecast. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 index rebounded after three consecutive days of decline. The ISM Nonmanufacturing Index posted its second consecutive gain and the largest since 2008. The July survey bucks other economic data that suggest the economy was off to a slow start in the quarter. Stocks dipped amid a retreat in crude oil on Thursday. On another note, Labor Department data showed initial jobless claims increased by 3,000 to 270,000 last week. On Friday, the Labor Department released July’s data, showing the economy added 215,000 jobs last month, versus expectations of 225,000 additions. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.35%.
Unplanned Business Liquidations
When your company is forced into an unplanned liquidation, you will lose the business’s going-concern value. We explain in this week’s Business Tip.
Health Care Reform: Credits and Subsidies
The Affordable Care Act provides tax credits and subsidies to help reduce the cost of health insurance coverage. Learn more in this week’s Insurance Tip.
Planning Your IRA Withdrawal
You’ve spent most of your life saving to your IRA. Don’t forget, planning is still necessary when you begin withdrawals. Read more in this week’s Tax Tip.
Don’t Let Your Retirement Savings Goal Get You Down
If your savings goal seems daunting, try focusing more on the details that help refine your plan. We explain in this week’s Financial Tip.
Buying an Established Business Still Means You Have Become a Business Owner
Our experts discuss how buying an existing business still involves the planning and concerns of a start-up business.
Market Roundup: Positive Week Despite Red Start and Finish
While the daily numbers show the week started and ended in the red, the overall direction for the markets was up. Monday’s red results were likely caused by a slip in West Texas Intermediate crude, as the slip affected several of the big energy companies. In economic news, durable goods orders increased in June, exceeding expectations. On Tuesday, energy stocks rebounded because of a jump in crude oil. Oil prices still dominated the headlines Wednesday, as crude oil added 1.7% to settle at $48.79 a barrel following a decline in crude oil inventories. Comments from the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting offered no grand revelations on whether they will lift interest rates at the upcoming meeting in September. However, the Fed kept its stance that the U.S. economy and job market are continuing to improve. Indices closed out mixed on Thursday with disappointing earnings news from Procter & Gamble. Friday’s session ended in red territory as Energy stocks Exxon Mobil and Chevron traded lower following the release of less-than-stellar earnings details. The markets also likely reacted to The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, which fell to a reading of 93.1, down from 96.1 in June. Economists had expected a lesser dip to a reading of 94.
Incorporating Incapacity Planning into an Estate Plan
In today’s Marietta Daily Journal: It can be easier for your family if you have plans in place, should you become incapacitated. Read the Article
Family Limited Partnerships
A family limited partnership can help transfer business assets to younger generations while you retain control. We explain in this week’s Business Tip.