One cannot be in both Gratitude and also in Anger or Fear at the same time. If we are in gratitude we are in polar opposite of, and unable to be in, Anger or Fear. Anger locks us down wherein we are unable to move forward. Fear of the future also keeps us from moving... [Read More]
Category: Insights
How Am I Doing?
“How Am I Doing?” is a great way to evaluate how you are progressing in different areas of your life. It was a favorite question inviting evaluation from former NYC Mayor Ed Koch. “How am I doing in my Estate Plan?”, is a great way to consider is your Estate Plan up to date with... [Read More]
Steve Teaches CE Class – IRA’s In Estate Planning
Steve will teach a Continuing Education Class – “Retirement Plans in Estate Planning” on Wednesday, September 18, at 8am at The Biltmore Building to Financial & Insurance Professionals & Accountants. The Class is approved for one hour of Continuing Education Credit from the NC Department of Insurance. Steve will keep the class moving, relevant &... [Read More]
Diana Nyad Uses Prior Challenges to Reach Goal
64 year old Diana Nyad used her prior challenge of being stung in the face by jellyfish to use a special swim mask to protect her during her historic swim from Cuba to the U.S. She hadn’t “Tried & Failed”, she had “Tried & Learned” from her previous challenge of trying the open water swim.... [Read More]
Kidnapper Leaves Victim Family as Sole Beneficiary
Kidnapper James DiMaggio left the grandmother of the kidnapped teenager as his sole beneficiary on his life insurance. This was another strange twist in the murders and kidnapping DiMaggio committed on his best friend’s family. Regardless of your Will or Trust, who you name as the beneficiary on your Life Insurance, IRA or Company Retirement... [Read More]
North Carolina Repeals The State’s Estate Tax
The North Carolina Legislature repealed the State’s Estate Tax in July 2013 making the repeal retroactive to deaths on January 1, 2013 or later. The North Carolina State Tax was tied to the Federal Estate Tax. In other words if you did not hit or trigger the Federal Estate Tax you did not trigger any... [Read More]
Zimmerman Lesson: Don’t go to Court!
The George Zimmerman Criminal Trial in Florida’s biggest lesson is don’t end up in the Courthouse! Anytime the Court determines the fate of your family or your assets there is a huge loss of control. Whether or not you believe George Zimmerman committed a crime or was simply defending himself, the real lesson is that... [Read More]
“Git ‘Er Done”
Larry the Cable Guy For many of us, our tendency towards perfectionism precludes us from moving forward. Our strong desire to “get it just right” precludes us from moving forward on what needs to get done. “Paralysis by Analysis” is a good description as it often precludes the perfectionist in us from moving forward on... [Read More]
You have an Affirmative Duty to do Estate Planning
Most states, including North Carolina, have laws in place that establish what your Estate Plan will be. Those Laws may be the opposite of what you actually want. In North Carolina under those laws, in a family with a husband and wife with children, in most scenarios, two thirds (2/3) of the parent’s estate, when... [Read More]
Summer Travel and Healthcare Authority
Summer is when many Americans are traveling out-of-state. They are on vacation to new places or to visit with loved ones or family. As we cross state lines one concern is that our Healthcare Power of Attorney a/k/a Healthcare Proxy might not be accepted in another state. For example if you have a Healthcare Power... [Read More]