Money Magazine Recognizes American Academy!

In the January 2009 issue of Money Magazine, Walecia Konrad’s article entitled “Keep It In The Family” focuses on making sure the wealth you’ve worked so hard to accumulate will go to the people you love. The article recommends the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys as a source to find an estate planning attorney who can tailor a plan for your situation and address your state rules. It also includes a useful estate planning checklist and valuable tips for putting together a proper estate plan that will safeguard your hard-earned assets from estate taxes, lawsuits and probate. This is the fourth time in 16 issues the American Academy has been recognized. Click here to find out why our American Academy membership is so important to our firm and the many families we provide guidance to each year.

  American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine!

Robert Armstrong, President of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, was interviewed by Money Magazine senior writer Penelope Wang for her article " A Midlife Money Checkup" in the March 2008 Issue. The article was part of the Cover Story "A Boomer's Guide to Financial Freedom" that included multiple articles focusing on financial trends, aging well and other issues Baby Boomers are facing today. This is the third mention of the American Academy of Estate Planning by Money Magazine in the last seven issues.

The "Midlife Money Checkup" is a nine-step test that highlights questions Boomer's should be asking themselves at this point in their lives. Mr. Armstrong's expertise in estate planning was highlighted in question five, "Is your estate plan in order?" Make sure you don't have to ask yourself that question by meeting with a qualified attorney.

  American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine

The September issue of Money Magazine has an article entitled,"20 Timeless Money Rules." Rule 17, Exiting Gracefully, is particularly significant because it emphasizes the importance of putting together your estate plan. The recommendation of Money Magazine is that you search for a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys: "To find a lawyer, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations or get referrals online at the website of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (aaepa.com)." The American Academy is an exclusive membership organization for law firms dedicated to estate planning. We are proud of our Academy membership and pleased to be one of only two law firms in the greater North Atlanta metro area accepted into this prestigious organization. For more information about why our membership is so important to your family, click here.

ESTATE PLANNING NEWS
 What Happens in My Initial Estate Planning Consultation?
This article describes what happens in the initial estate planning consultation, including the questions asked, the discussion of goals, etc. The article also references a CNNfn segment that talked about the importance of stringent continuing education requirements, like those of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

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ESTATE PLANNING NEWS
 How to Leave a Mess to Your Heirs
This article examines several common mistakes that create a mess for heirs: Lifetime Transactions without counsel (such as adding people on title to realty), Failure to Plan, and Failure to Communicate. The article poses the problem and then offers a solution to each.

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CLIENT NEWSLETTERS
 Your Estate Matters Newsletter, Vol. 12.1

Articles included in this issue:

• How to Avoid Disputes When Planning Your Estate
• Social Security and Retirement: Working Could Cost you Dearly
• Reduce Your Estate Taxes by Making Gifts
• Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster: Mortgage Accelerator Loans
• True Story: Elder Abuse

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EDUCATIONAL ALERTS
 Lame Duck Congress Passes Last Minute Tax Act
The Alert discusses the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. It lists the various provisions and highlights the most important one: the modification of the rules of Unrelated Business Taxable Income for a CRT. If a CRT had UBTI prior to the act, it lost tax exempt status. Beginning January 1, 2007, it does not lose tax exempt status, but faces an excise tax equal to 100% of the UBTI. This is often better and can make contributing business assets to a CRT more attractive.

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EDUCATIONAL FYIs
 Article on Boomer Inheritances
This USA article highlights how inheritances by boomers are not meeting earlier projections. The reason behind this is the increased life expectancies of seniors and the higher then projected costs for health care.

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