January 2012

Interesting article in Forbes on State Estate Taxes.  Enjoy (link below)

Where Not To Die In 2012

-Jeremy

We have experienced the impact of Alzheimer's through the lens of client cases as well as personal interactions with family and friends.  This is a very interesting and helpful story about Alzheimer's and my friend's parents. (See Link Below)

U.S. launches national war on Alzheimer's

-Dan

The federal Estate Tax continues to be a variable in estate planning calculus.  However, our experience tells us that most clients focus on the protection of assets and controlled distribution for the family over the impact of the Estate Tax.  This is a good article that supports our experience: Estate tax lull may trap wealthy.

Clients often ask us what papers their family will need to serve as executor, trustee, or agent.  I came across this diagram in the Wall Street Journal that shows what papers you should have safe and available in one simple graphic: “The 25 Documents You Need Before You Die.” (link is below)

The 25 Documents You Need Before You Die

-Dan

We at JGB hope you had a safe and fun 2011 holiday season!  Most 2012 resolutions have already been set.  Some of them may be lofty and some more pedestrian.  Regardless, we suggest you add one more to your list: at least once each day try to give another person an encouraging word.  The impact of something so simple, practiced by many, could be enormous.  Yours may be the proverbial ‘beating of butterfly wings that starts a hurricane’ in someone else’s life towards positive change.  Let 2012 be the year of encouragement.

Jeremy