Recently, Google announced yet another upcoming update to search rankings, known as the Page Experience signal. The page experience signal consists of several previously known ranking factors such as whether a site is mobile-friendly and if HTTPS-security is implemented, along with something new called “Core Web Vitals.”  The goal of the update is to improve […]

The Academy’s Spring Summit event was April 29 – May 2, 2021. Once again, for the third time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy’s Summit was “virtual,” using Zoom meeting technology. The Academy’s Summit is a semi-annual conference bringing the latest developments in Estate Planning and Elder Law to the many Member […]

You don’t need to be an award-winning writer to create an appropriate sympathy card or note of condolence. It’s not hard to add a few short sentences to customize a store-bought sympathy card to help lift the spirits of the mourners. Make it easy on yourself by using journalism’s “Five Ws” to guide your way: […]

There are many current tax proposals. One of the many proposals is an increase in capital gains taxes.  Currently, federal law taxes capital gains at a maximum rate of 20%, plus a 3.8% surcharge on net investment income, for a total of 23.8%. However, under proposals, to the extent a taxpayer’s income is above $1 […]

As more and more Americans get vaccinated from COVID-19 and states are relaxing their pandemic related restrictions, many attorneys are wondering if it’s time to resume in-person operations, including live in-person seminars in their communities. You’ve planned successful in-person events in the past and have brought people together. It may now be time to dust […]

The current estate tax exemption is $11.7 million. This is a record high. The “permanent” exclusion is $5 million and is adjusted for inflation from a 2011 base year. Then the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled it. At the end of 2025, the doubling goes away. So, in 2026, the exemption will be […]

As a human resource professional and advisor, I work with hiring managers to ensure they are finding the best possible candidates to fill positions. When I begin working with a new hiring manager, we find that many individuals use their gut instinct to make tough decisions, and unfortunately, their bias can prevent them from selecting […]

Every year there are numerous tax proposals. These proposals run the gamut. We start paying attention when there’s a change in power in Washington, D.C., especially when there’s not divided government. Right now, Democrats control the House by a narrow margin and the Senate is evenly divided, with Vice President Harris able to cast a […]

Conferences are an exciting and an important opportunity to develop as both a professional and a leader; whether the conference is online or in person you gain new insights, generate new ideas, and leave inspired and excited. However, without the proper preparation, the impact may not be as transformational as you may have hoped. Fast […]

What’s the role of an Estate Planning attorney? Is it merely to document a client’s wishes? Or is it to counsel the client regarding those wishes and then craft a plan that best fits their situation? Clearly, it’s the latter. For example, if a client walks into your office and says they want to leave […]