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If you own several different companies, franchises, or properties the management overhead can be considerable. When they are set up as independent entities the fees and filings take up a lot of manpower to remain current. One alternative, keeping everything as a...

With firearms legislation once again in the headlines, savvy firearms owners should consider creating a gun trust as part of a larger estate plan. A gun trust is a trust created to hold ownership of firearms, allowing them to be passed down for future generations....

For many people, a pet is more than just an animal. A pet can be a cherished friend and a beloved member of the family. But what would happen to your pet after you pass away? Would a family member adopt him, or would he end up in a shelter?Because the legal system...

By 2030, more than 20 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 or older. Many of them will begin to move into smaller homes, assisted living or retirement villages. While married or raising children, the estates were large enough for multiple rooms of fine furniture,...

Christmas may be over, but if you are in the process of planning your estate, you may still be thinking about gifts. A major part of estate planning is making gift transfers to certain beneficiaries. This is a great way to transfer your wealth to family members or...

The time to plan your family's future is not when you're elderly--it's now. There is no better time than the present to sit down and think seriously about how to ensure the financial wellbeing of your family for generations to come. One possible way to do this is with...

No two estates will ever be the same, as there are bound to be major differences between the lives -- and accrued wealth -- of the grantors. But many people own pets, so when it comes to establishing trusts for an estate, an animal companion trust or pet trust can be...

It’s flattering to have fans, but it can be frustrating when they watch everything you do. It’s not just the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous that interests people; fandom continues after death. A recent example is Hugh Hefner. The Playboy founder passed...

If you're planning to keep your business in the family after you retire or pass away, there's more to it than grooming a successor. Your heirs' desire to run the business, their leadership capabilities, and technology and cultural changes should influence the...

Property ownership is never as simple as who signed the check or who holds the deed. Marital property is especially complex when joint owners become sole owners through the death of a spouse. When ownership changes hands, there are bureaucratic inefficiencies and tax...