Ascend Advisory GroupApr 85 minUnderstanding donor-advised fund basicsDonor-advised funds went from 4.8% of total charitable giving in 2011 to 10.1% in 2020 and — despite all the events that occurred —...
Ascend Advisory GroupApr 83 minGiving well: How can philanthropy be more focused and fulfilling?How much thought do you give your charitable giving? Do you simply write some checks or, more likely, visit organizations’ websites, make...
Ascend Advisory GroupOct 7, 20213 minFive Important Estate Planning Documents to Consider Many people think that estate planning doesn’t apply to them, but everyone needs an estate plan. A good estate plan will help determine...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 26, 20203 minQualified Charitable DistributionsThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act roughly doubled the standard deduction and indexed it for inflation through 2025. (The standard deduction is...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minCaught in the Middle: The Sandwich GenerationThere is an old saying about being caught between a rock and a hard place. Many people might feel that way about providing financial...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20202 minHistory of the Federal Estate TaxThe history of estate taxes in America has been a long and winding road. Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minWhat Is the Best Form of Property Ownership for Me?In planning your estate, it is customary to consider wills and trusts (as well as intestacy) as a means of property distribution. As a...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20204 minCould My Family Benefit from a Family Limited Partnership?Effective estate planning should address wealth transfer from a practical and cost-effective approach. One estate planning strategy that...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minHow Can I Benefit from a Wealth Replacement Trust?Charitable giving can be a rewarding experience by allowing you to both give and receive. To enjoy the benefits of charitable giving, you...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minHow Can I Benefit from a Charitable Remainder Trust?Sometimes it takes tough economic times and natural disasters to unite and bring out the best in people. Natural disasters such as...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minHow Can I Benefit from a Charitable Lead Trust?Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later. You may have heard about some...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20202 minWhat Gifting Strategies Are Available to Me?There are a number of different gifting strategies available for planned giving. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Instead of...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20204 minCan I Benefit from an A-B Trust?Married couples have several ways to potentially avoid any estate tax liability when they leave assets to each other. Because of the...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minHow Will I Pay Estate Taxes?Estate taxes. It’s not enough to simply know they exist and to know strategies to minimize them. When it comes down to it, you need to...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20204 minHow Can I Control the Distribution of my Estate?There are a number of ways your estate can be distributed to your heirs after your death. Each allows a different degree of control over...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minHow Can my Gift Benefit me and the Charity?Giving basics You’re free to give almost any type of property to whatever organization you choose. But in order to retain the tax...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minWhat Are the Pitfalls of Probate?Have you ever wondered what will happen to your estate after you die? How long will it take for your loved ones to receive the estate...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20204 minHow Can a Living Trust Help me Control my Estate?Living trusts enable you to control the distribution of your estate, and certain trusts may enable you to reduce or avoid many of the...
Ascend Advisory GroupJun 25, 20203 minWhat Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?By taking steps in advance, you have a greater say in how these questions are answered. And isn’t that how it should be? Wills and trusts...