Resource Search

It has always been the case that courts could consider resources available to one spouse from a trust in deciding how to divide marital property or whether to award maintenance. However, there are trends in several states to make trusts a larger part of the process of dividing assets in a divorce. Because of these trends, it is not necessarily enough just to have a trust. The type of trust can make a difference.

When surveyed two years ago, U.S. family businesses were warily eyeing their next big bet but hesitant to place it. Now, they’re actively playing their hand. This report highlights the views of 100 owners, leaders and top executives of U.S. family businesses across a variety of industries.

Without a full understanding of U.S. federal gift tax and income tax issues associated with a gift of money to a U.S. child, it is easy for a nonresident alien to convert what would have been a tax-free gift to taxable income. This guide outlines the most common gift-giving mistakes and how to avoid them.

For foreign entrepreneurs seeking to bring their businesses to the United States, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa may seem like the perfect fit. Looks, however, can be deceiving. Green card holders are subject immediately to U.S. federal income tax on their worldwide income and informational reporting requirements for their foreign interests.

Wealth management decisions carry an inherent risk for all investors but especially for ultra-wealthy families that require the services of a range of providers. Regardless of the advisory firm a family selects, it’s in the family’s best interest to ensure that, above all, the firm adheres to five core fiduciary principles of wealth management.

More frequent review and adjustment of asset allocation, incorporating opportunistic investing and employing flexible strategies, such as global asset allocation and global macro managers, enables investment programs to increase return and manage risk more effectively.

Giving forethought to difficult circumstances can provide important clarity that helps companies avoid worst-case scenarios. Owners can begin by being as objective as possible, treating shares and structure with respect and thinking of the next generation.

In examining the process of transitioning the ownership and management of a family business, this paper discusses pre-transition planning, considers the challenges of intergenerational ownership transfers vs. third-party sales, and proposes a framework for meeting family and business goals through the process.

Thoughtful planning before the sale of a business can yield many benefits to its owner, including ensuring the owner’s family is financially protected if something unexpected happens to the owner or the business before a sale, reducing potential family conflicts that may arise as a result of a potential sale and minimizing the impact of future gift and estate taxes.

Parents often struggle with determining when to talk with children about family finances, what information to share and how family wealth can be used to provide children with the best resources and opportunities without creating passive expectations that discourage financial independence. This sourcebook provides recommended resources categorized by type and, when appropriate, organized by age group.