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U.S. Markets Stocks traded in a narrow range in May, with technology and other high-valuation companies under selling pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.93 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55% percent. The Nasdaq Composite, home for many technology and high-growth […]

Trust administration is more difficult than many families presume. In an ideal world, managing a family trust would be simple. There would be no stress, no big learning curve, and no great time commitment involved. Unfortunately, the world is not ideal, and heirs who become trustees […]

What you should know about the most recent cost-of-living adjustment. On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021. This adjustment will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 […]

U.S. Markets Improved economic conditions and broadened vaccine programs ignited a broad stock market rally, though rising treasury yields dragged on technology and high-growth stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 6.62 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.24 percent while the […]

U.S. Markets Stocks notched a solid gain in February thanks to growing optimism surrounding the economic recovery and decreasing number of COVID-19 infections. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 3.17 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.61 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite […]

U.S. Markets Stock prices surged in August as investors cheered positive news of a potential COVID-19 treatment and welcomed a month-long succession of upbeat economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 7.57 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 7.01 percent, and the Nasdaq […]

Note: Reprinted with permission of the Special Needs Alliance. One of the most common questions attorneys are asked after drafting a Special Needs Trust (“SNT”) is, “do I have to tell Social Security and Medicaid about the trust?”  The short answer is yes.  Of course, the […]

Note: Reprinted with permission of the Special Needs Alliance. Evaluating the Alternatives The last issue of The Voice introduced the True Link card, a customizable Visa card that enables individuals with special needs to conveniently make purchases without affecting their needs-based government benefits. Families and trustees […]

Just before the end of 2019, Congress passed and the President signed a spending bill that includes significant changes to retirement savings accounts. Known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, this legislation changes rules around retirement plans in several key ways. […]

Prudent Investor Rule – A History The year was 1830 and the case was Harvard v Amory. In the case, Harvard college alleged that the trustees had willfully made high-risk bets in order to benefit the deceased man’s widow rather than establish a standard source of […]