Most homeowners assume that if they own a house with a spouse, child, or another family member, the surviving owner automatically inherits the property without going through probate. Unfortunately, that's not always true. In many cases, the outcome depends on...
If someone told you that you need an LLC before you can deduct business expenses, they got it wrong. I hear this myth from business owners all the time. They spend money forming an LLC expecting bigger write-offs, only to...
I have been a tax attorney since the 1990s, and I can tell you that some of the most expensive tax mistakes begin with something people “know” that simply is not true. They think an LLC automatically saves taxes. It...
Most people believe someone starts a lawsuit by serving them with legal papers. In reality, it often begins much earlier—with an asset search. One of my clients learned that the hard way after receiving a demand letter from an attorney....
If you own rental property, a home, retirement accounts, or other investments, you've probably spent time thinking about taxes and asset protection. But have you thought about what happens if you can't manage those assets yourself—or if your family members...
Investors often ask me whether they should set up a revocable trust or an irrevocable trust. My answer usually surprises them. You're asking the wrong question. Neither trust is inherently better than the other. They were designed to accomplish different...
Some people believe an LLC for rental property is only necessary after they've built a large portfolio. Others form multiple LLCs without understanding why. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. An LLC isn't a magic tax strategy, nor is...
You finally bought your first rental property. Someone at a local real estate meetup tells you, "Just put it in an LLC, and you're protected." It's one of the most common pieces of advice new landlords receive—and one of the...
When someone finishes their estate plan, the first question they usually ask is: "So...what do I put in the trust?" The answer surprises most people. Not everything. In fact, transferring certain assets into a living trust for real estate investors...
Many business owners believe that once they form an LLC, they're protected from lawsuits and creditors. That's only partly true. An LLC creates a legal separation between you and your business, limiting your personal liability for many business debts and...
Many people assume a 529 plan is simply a college savings account for their children. While paying for education is certainly its primary purpose, that assumption causes many investors to overlook some remarkable planning opportunities. When used strategically, a 529...
Your trading account may be generating significant profits, but there is one question every trader should ask: What happens if someone sues you tomorrow? Most traders spend countless hours developing strategies, analyzing charts, and managing risk inside their portfolios. Yet...
