By Ron Carson, Forbes, May 5, 2019 Link to Original Article Estate planning remains one of the most misunderstood areas of planning. Over the years, I’ve met with people who “only needed a financial plan, not an estate plan” or “didn’t need a financial plan, just some help with estate planning.” I’ve also met with…
Continue reading…What is Your Purpose?
Mortality is a bizarre concept to wrap your mind around. When I was 10 years old, my Grandfather suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I was faced with my first encounter with death. It led me to start addressing questions I had about mortality. At one point, I began to cry as the thought…
Continue reading…Wealth. What does it mean to you?
Wealth to me is not about money. I gauge my wealth on the relationships I have, the quality of time I am able to enjoy with my family, the level of joy and happiness I feel when I am able to provide experiences and special moments with my children. Yes, money does afford me the…
Continue reading…Why Your Family’s Money Belongs In Nevada — No Matter Where You Live
April 2, 2019 By Michele Lerner, for Forbes/ Whittier Trust, Brandvoice Link to Original Article Nevada may be known for its casinos and high-stakes poker games, but high-net-worth families will find it no gamble to keep their money there. “Nevada is one of the most trust-friendly states — and a great alternative to placing your money…
Continue reading…Spring Cleaning: Helpful Tools for Organization
Spring is notorious for being the season that is most associated with new beginnings and clean slates. The term “Spring Cleaning” is historically linked to a deep cleaning of one’s home, inside and out, due to the effects of Winter. Read more about the historical significance of spring cleaning here. However, Spring is also a…
Continue reading…Asset Protection Series: Yet Another Reason why Landlords Need Asset Protection
It’s not just about slip & falls- the Second Circuit Court of Appeals just issued a ruling that says that landlords can be liable for their tenants’ discriminatory conduct. Francis v. Kings Park Manor, Inc., 15-cv-1823 (2d Cir. Mar. 4, 2019). The Plaintiff in the case (an African-American man) was being harassed by a neighbor-tenant…
Continue reading…Should I Do My Estate Planning Online???
Today’s technology allows us to access a gamut of information from the comfort of our homes or by simply pressing a quick button from our smartphones. We can even do our shopping by simply asking our “virtual assistants”, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Play, to place an order. However, this quick and easy access to…
Continue reading…Tax Savings Strategies to Implement NOW to Lower Your 2019 Tax Bill
The TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) virtually doubled the standard deduction (for personal returns). For 2019, the standard personal deductions are: $12,200 – Single (or married filing separately) $24,400 – Married, filing jointly $18,350 – Head of Household You can find info for 2018 here. If you’re used to itemizing your deductions- the new…
Continue reading…Bidding Farewell to Donna DiNoto…
To Our Clients, Partners, & Friends, Happy New Year! We hope that you had a happy holiday and were able to get some well-deserved time off. The new year has brought some big and exciting changes to Phillips Ballenger, and because we value our clients so much, we want to keep you in the know….
Continue reading…Buying Vs. Renting Commercial Real Estate: What Are The Tax Benefits?
By: Shu Saito, CEO, Allfilters.com – Forbes, YEC CommunityVoice, Link While I’m not an accountant and don’t have any professional training in this field, I do have extensive experience as a business owner. Additionally, I would like to think that I have an advanced understanding of accounting and finances in general. So, while you should always consult…
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