As copywriters well know when you reference learning in a headline readers’ interest tends to perk up. Add a mention to the “rich and famous” and you really generate interest. So “Lessons of the Rich and Famous . . .
Wealth Transfer
Now Law: Estate Tax Rate and Exclusion
Submitted by Bernhardt Wealth Management on January 10th, 2011I have previously written on my amazement that Congress allowed the estate tax to lapse last year and of the many plans put forth to reinstate the death tax.
Family Businesses: Make Lemonade out of Lemons
Submitted by Bernhardt Wealth Management on November 15th, 2010According to the Small Business Administration 90% of the 21 million US businesses are family owned. Amazingly less than one third of these companies will transfer successfully to the second generation and only 15 percent will survive by the third. Why the low survival rate? Most of these businesses lack a succession plan or an exit plan.
Where There’s a Will There’s a Way
Submitted by Bernhardt Wealth Management on July 25th, 2010When the actor Gary Coleman died on May 28th at the age of 42 after suffering a brain hemorrhage he left three different wills–including one that was handwritten. Legally the last will written is the binding document. However battle lines have been drawn and it is likely his family and friends are in for a long court fight.
The Grim Reaper at Work without the Tax Man
Submitted by Bernhardt Wealth Management on July 19th, 2010The recent death of two billionaires has thrust back into the spotlight the fact that Congress let the federal estate tax expire.
