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I KEEP six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.– Rudyard Kipling I’ll use all six “serving men”—what, why, when, how, where, and who, albeit sometimes in slightly different order—to explain three broad topics: (1) estate planning; (2) trusts; and […]
I want to take this moment on Memorial Day to express my deep gratitude for the fallen heroes and military veterans who have served America. Indeed, we can enjoy the land of free only because of these brave individuals. While Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer season, ushering in the much awaited […]
Often when I’m reading fiction I’ll find estate planning-related issues that cause conflicts, both big and small, for the characters. And, while the stories may be fictitious, the lessons they give us serve as valuable reminders of the importance of quality estate planning. One such tale I recently revisited is the 1845 gothic novel, Wuthering […]
Everyone needs an estate plan! This goes for if you’re a young professional or have minor children or are retired. And, it goes for all married couples! This year marks a decade since Iowa Supreme Court decision of Varnum v. Brien, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state. This case was a precursor and set a standard […]
The April 2019 issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine is out and I’m happy to say that it includes Gordon Fischer Law Firm’s latest piece on smart charitable giving strategies and tools under the amended tax code that went into effect in 2018. Entitled “April Showers Bring…Charitable Giving Strategies Under the Revised Tax Law” the article overviews […]
The #SweetSixteen is a time of celebration for teams which made the elite group. Similarly, with charitable gift annuities (CGAs), donors can experience the joy of giving to their favorite causes. But, unlike making the Sweet Sixteen, CGAs aren’t hard, they are relatively easy to understand and execute. Also unlike the Sweet Sixteen, CGA donors […]
Want to help make your favorite charity a winner? Encourage the charity to discuss the potential of charitable gifts of non-cash assets with donors. Donee charities can gain access to what has been called prospective donors’ “treasure chest” of non-cash assets. After all, the vast majority of a potential donor’s net worth will not be […]
Q: How many elephants will fit into a Minivan? A: Four: Two in the front, two in the back. Q: How many giraffes will fit into a Minivan? A: None. It’s full of elephants. Jokes aside, you can fit just about any asset into a trust. Here is a “short” list of assets actually placed into […]
Calling All Parents In your role as a responsible parent you most definitely need an estate plan. One of the most critically important features of an estate plan is establishing guardianships for any minors (i.e., children under the age of 18) in your care. The ability to establish guardianships through your will is one of […]
If you’re a professional advisor (such as a financial advisor, insurance agent, attorney, or accountant, among others) looking for more information on how to advise your clients on smart charitable giving strategies, I’d love to speak with you and your colleagues. At every chance, I’m happy to share my firm’s mission to “maximize charitable giving in […]