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In the summer of 2017, Stan lost his wife of 69 years from stroke-related complications. Joan was 95. And less than 8 months later, there were news reports that Stan was in a nasty battle for his care and estate with his 67-year old daughter.

The image of a loyal employee spending a lifetime with a single employer—and then retiring with the proverbial gold watch—is simply a notion, as career jobs have never existed for most workers, and still do not, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)

One of the most important decisions you must make when planning your estate is selecting an executor. An executor’s duties include determining the value of your estate, paying outstanding debts, filing tax returns, maintaining a record of all transactions, and ultimately, distributing the remaining assets to your heirs.

In a highly competitive job market, attracting and retaining the best employees is not always an easy task. You need to take advantage of all strategies at your disposal. A nonqualified benefit plan can help you “sweeten the pot” for your top performers.

There are many reasons why it is important to obtain an appraisal for each item of value among your possessions. Appraisals provide you the necessary documented proof of ownership and value, in the event that the information is needed for tax and/or insurance purposes. You may not be able to put a price on your antique clock, but an independent appraiser can.

The deductions individual business owners can take advantage of and the value of these tax breaks will vary considerably depending on the nature of their business activities, their income levels, and other factors that they may be able to adjust to maximize their tax benefits.

Handling the death of a loved one is never easy. However, an updated inventory of vital financial information can help you make this process easier for those you leave behind.

Be sure to consult an estate planning team comprised of an attorney, tax advisor, and financial professional to help you develop the appropriate strategies for your situation.

Long-term business planning and budgeting are important to the ultimate success of a business. The creation of a long-term personal financial plan and investment strategy is critical to the success of the business owner.

Aging seniors and/or family caregivers are advised to periodically review existing financial, health care, and living arrangements. In the transition to the later stages of life, changing needs and concerns often require revisiting prior plans and updating or revising them accordingly.