How to choose a home aide for your loved one

Posted by Gerald J. Turner – No adult likes to feel like they can’t take care of themselves. One of the unfortunate truths of growing older is that many of us will not be able to get along without a little help. There often comes a time when senior citizens require someone to help them carry out the basic functions of life. While some adult children help their parents in times like this, it is not always feasible. No matter how much you love your senior parent, you may not have the necessary medical education, time or skills required to take care of them. Most adults have full time jobs and cannot take on a second one. In these cases, families should consider hiring a professional to step in. What type of help does the senior need? First, you must determine the nature of your parent’s needs. Is there a

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What 199A Regulations Mean for You

Posted by Robert L. Arone – Tax-Saving Opportunities for Business Owners Are any of your business-owning clients curious about the new Section 199A deduction? Although the deduction became effective on January 1, 2018, guidance on how it would be calculated was delegated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by Congress. For months, financial and tax professionals have speculated about various aspects of this new deduction since Congress gave us little concrete guidance to work with. New Developments in August 2018 But on August 8, 2018, the IRS released proposed regulations that answered many pressing questions about losses as well as how to account for multiple businesses. We can now more accurately project or estimate how much of a deduction a client is entitled to. Fortunately, these new proposed regulations introduced many new planning options for your clients. Unfortunately, an overabundance of options can lead to confusion and missed opportunities without

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Financial Planner vs. Financial Advisor – what’s the difference?

Posted by Gerald J. Turner – At first glance, the terms “financial advisor” and “financial planner” may seem interchangeable. However, when seeking the advice of a financial professional, it’s crucial to know which type of expert you need. Here is a quick overview of each professional, what they offer, and which one you need: Financial Advisor A financial advisor is a generic, broad term for a person who can help you manage your finances. Advisors can help with managing your investments, buying or selling stocks, or give general tax or budgeting advice. Advisors should hold a Series 65 license which is earned by passing the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam. This test covers legal issues, regulations, ethics and fiduciary duties, as well as portfolio management best practices and strategies. However, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, claim there are more than 100 different certifications available that a financial advisor

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Preparing for the Rising Costs of Education

Posted by Robert L. Arone – 5 Strategies to Help Pay for a Child’s Academic Future Higher education costs are just that – higher.  The steady increase in educational expenses means your clients have much steeper bills for their children’s college tuitions than they had for their own. To illustrate how stark this contrast is, the average cost of tuition has increased 213 percent in the last 30 years.[1] To make matters worse, there is no end in sight for this trend. It’s understandable that the price of higher education is one of the biggest worries looming in your clients’ minds. A defined goal, such as a large purchase or a child’s educational needs, provides much more motivation to clients than an amorphous, abstract goal. As their financial advisor, you are uniquely positioned to help your clients utilize educational savings tools they may not otherwise be familiar with. Not only will

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When Aged Parents Refuse to Discuss End-of-Life Care

Posted by Eric P. Rothenberg – No one likes to discuss their own death, as if talking about it will somehow hasten it, or not talking about it might prevent it from happening! By encouraging your parents to prepare for the end of their lives, you are not only acting as a responsible and loving child, but you are saving time, money, and heartache for yourself and the rest of your family. All parents want to leave their children as much as they can as a legacy, and that’s precisely why estate planning is beneficial to them as well. A short answer: if they become incapacitated before signing a durable power of attorney or their will, you are out of luck and their estate will pass under intestacy laws [when there’s no will]. In approaching your parents next time, it may be best to remind them that while making end-of-life

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