Articles
Diversifying Charitable Remainder Trust Investments
Who cares? Donors, advisors, trust drafters, trustees, beneficiaries and state attorneys general
October 2017Trustees have a duty to diversify charitable remainder trust (CRT) investments.
Trusts & Estates Magazine
Estate Planning: How Cummings & Lockwood Can Help
A Private Clients Group Article
Clients frequently have many questions about estate planning. This article focuses on how Cummings & Lockwood can address those specific questions and deliver valuable benefits to clients.
How to Reduce Taxes with Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts
A Private Clients Group Article
Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) are an important estate planning tool used to reduce estate, gift and similar inheritance taxes by removing assets from an estate. In the right situation, they can allow donors to gift appreciated assets tax-free.
Estate Planning: The Basics
A Private Clients Group Article
While estate planning can be very complicated, its purpose is straightforward: It aims to provide for the management and transfer of your property, in the event of your incapacity or death, at the smallest financial and emotional cost to your family.
Is a Revocable Trust Right for You?
A Private Clients Group Article
The Revocable Trust (often referred to as a “Living Trust”) is a popular and effective estate planning technique. It can provide an excellent way to manage, protect and distribute your assets during your lifetime, in the event of incapacity, and after your death.
Choosing Fiduciaries to Handle Your Estate
A Private Clients Group Article
The appointment of a Fiduciary is crucial to the successful administration of a trust or an estate. Unfortunately, it is seldom given the attention it deserves.
How to Reduce Your Estate Taxes With Gifts
A Private Clients Group Article
One of the goals of an estate plan is to reduce taxes and maximize your legacy for your heirs. Lifetime gifting can be an effective tactic offering significant tax savings.
4 Things You Should Know If You’re Planning a Move to Florida
A Private Clients Group Article
Whether it’s for the weather, financial benefits or other reasons, Florida is a popular destination, particularly in retirement.
7 Reasons Why You Need An Estate Plan
A Private Clients Group Article
Proper estate planning can give you (and your family) peace of mind about your finances in the event of your incapacity or death.
Choosing a Fiduciary: Professional Over Progeny
A Private Clients Group Article
When planning for the administration of an estate or trust, clients often are faced with the difficult but necessary choice of selecting a family member, a professional advisor, including a lawyer, or a financial institution to serve as an executor or trustee.
Substantiating Charitable Deductions at The IRS
“Close” only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and nuclear war
July 2017Charitable deductions in the million of dollars are lost for failure to strictly comply with the Internal Revenue Code and the Internal Revenue Service's substantiation and appraisal rules.
Trusts & Estates Magazine
Estate Planning Strategies for Every Aspect of Your Life
A Private Clients Group Article
Spring 2017For over a century, Cummings & Lockwood has provided individuals and families with sophisticated strategies for all of their estate planning needs.