Change of Seasons

Beautiful colorful leaves are still hanging on many trees. Days and nights are cooler. It has been raining here in Western North Carolina. The lights of the day are shorter. Even on the clock, we have “fallen back” one hour. Fall is definitely here. The long warm days of summer with the bright green leaves... [Read More]

Lamar Odum has no Advanced Directives and an Almost Ex-Wife making the Decisions

Former NBA player Lamar Odum remains hospitalized and has come off of life support after a drug overdose. He was in a coma for 3 days. He remains on dialysis. He has no Advanced Directives – Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Wills or Healthcare Designation. Further, he is still married to a Reality TV personality... [Read More]

Strange Days

It’s been confirmed that Russian military rockets were used to shoot down a commercial airliner over Ukraine this past summer. Russian troops, including heavy weapons and fighter jets are in Syria working on behalf of Assad and his brutal regime. Playboy will stop publishing nude photos. Anheuser-Busch bought Miller Beer. Strange days. Few people could... [Read More]

More Storms of Life

We in North and South Carolina just went through heavy Storms, including heavy rains, over the past several days. Here in Western North Carolina we have been having rain off and on for more than ten (10) days. That was followed by very heavy rain over this past weekend. This rain has led to rivers... [Read More]

The 100th Year Anniversary of Federal Estate Tax

September 8, 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Federal Estate Tax. The Federal Tax taxes your assets when you pass on and they move from one generation to the next. There is no tax under the exemption amount, but once you get above that amount, there is a Federal Estate Tax. In the... [Read More]

Steve Teaches CE Class – “More on Mental Incapacity in Estate Planning”

Steve will teach a Continuing Education Class – “More on Mental Incapacity in Estate Planning” on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 8 a.m. at The Biltmore Building to Financial & Insurance Professionals, Accountants, and Elder Care Professionals.  We will look at legal options regarding Mental Incapacity and what can be done to provide the least... [Read More]

Estate Planning With A Volatile Market

Volatile swings in the Stock Market have a tendency to freeze many of us. There is a sense of a lack of control, concern for the future, and for some – outright fear. We know historically that the Stock Market moves up and down and that when it is down it is a good time... [Read More]

Super Charge Your Inheritance, part 2

Life Insurance can be a way to “Super Charge” your inheritance. For example, you may spend some thousands of dollars in life insurance premiums, but that may provide hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in death benefits when you pass on. If you have a good income stream, or you have a good... [Read More]

Super Charging an Inheritance

One can protect an inheritance they leave to a loved one by leaving that share of the inheritance in a Protective Trust. That gives the adult who inherits the money more protection to keep them from losing that inheritance by squandering it, losing it in a divorce, or losing it in a car wreck lawsuit.... [Read More]