We seek to avoid all of the pain of life for ourselves and loved ones. However Pain & Loss are where we really learn. It is where we gather Wisdom that we can later use to help ourselves and others. We don’t want to intentionally hurt ourselves or our loved ones unnecessarily because Life will... [Read More]
Category: Education
Gratitude Offsets Anger and Fear
One cannot be in both Gratitude and also in Anger or Fear at the same time. If we are in gratitude we are in polar opposite of, and unable to be in, Anger or Fear. Anger locks us down wherein we are unable to move forward. Fear of the future also keeps us from moving... [Read More]
How Am I Doing?
“How Am I Doing?” is a great way to evaluate how you are progressing in different areas of your life. It was a favorite question inviting evaluation from former NYC Mayor Ed Koch. “How am I doing in my Estate Plan?”, is a great way to consider is your Estate Plan up to date with... [Read More]
Steve Teaches CE Class – IRA’s In Estate Planning
Steve will teach a Continuing Education Class – “Retirement Plans in Estate Planning” on Wednesday, September 18, at 8am at The Biltmore Building to Financial & Insurance Professionals & Accountants. The Class is approved for one hour of Continuing Education Credit from the NC Department of Insurance. Steve will keep the class moving, relevant &... [Read More]
North Carolina Repeals The State’s Estate Tax
The North Carolina Legislature repealed the State’s Estate Tax in July 2013 making the repeal retroactive to deaths on January 1, 2013 or later. The North Carolina State Tax was tied to the Federal Estate Tax. In other words if you did not hit or trigger the Federal Estate Tax you did not trigger any... [Read More]
“Git ‘Er Done”
Larry the Cable Guy For many of us, our tendency towards perfectionism precludes us from moving forward. Our strong desire to “get it just right” precludes us from moving forward on what needs to get done. “Paralysis by Analysis” is a good description as it often precludes the perfectionist in us from moving forward on... [Read More]
You have an Affirmative Duty to do Estate Planning
Most states, including North Carolina, have laws in place that establish what your Estate Plan will be. Those Laws may be the opposite of what you actually want. In North Carolina under those laws, in a family with a husband and wife with children, in most scenarios, two thirds (2/3) of the parent’s estate, when... [Read More]
Summer Travel and Healthcare Authority
Summer is when many Americans are traveling out-of-state. They are on vacation to new places or to visit with loved ones or family. As we cross state lines one concern is that our Healthcare Power of Attorney a/k/a Healthcare Proxy might not be accepted in another state. For example if you have a Healthcare Power... [Read More]
Boston Bombers and the Unknown
Those injured at the finish line of The Boston Marathon last week never anticipated that two bombs would explode killing three and injuring and maiming another 200 people. A physician from Sylva, North Carolina, just west of Asheville, was at the finish line with his wife cheering on a friend. After the explosions, the first... [Read More]
North Korea, Kidnapping and Estate Planning
As North Korea declares a state of war on the United States and South Korea, and a leading news story shows by security camera a couple being kidnapped in broad daylight in Manhattan Sunday, we think about the “Worse Case Scenario”. We want to make sure that we have planned in advance in case we... [Read More]