Innovation in Uncertain Times: Jacoby & Meyers Enters the Legal Forms Business
The Wall Street Journal reported on a move from Jacoby & Meyers to break into the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) marketplace. As we all know, the DIY industry is all around us. This is an interesting move...
View ArticleAcademy’s Continuing Legal Education is a Distinct Achievement
The Academy is often known for its innovative practice building systems and cutting edge software. However, another unique characteristic of Academy membership is our annual Continuing Legal Education...
View ArticleGrantor Trust: Use Them While You Can
Grantor trusts are a thing of beauty (well, for a tax geek, anyway). All of the income of a grantor trust is taxed to the grantor of the trust, even if it is distributed to the beneficiaries. A...
View ArticleShare Your Tips for Evernote
I started using Evernote and I’m so stoked. I have it on my laptop, my iPad, and my iPhone. I haven’t gone crazy inventing folders or tags because the search is so amazing. I have the Skitch and also a...
View ArticleHow to Take the Perfect Candid Photo for Engaging Attorney Marketing
Attorneys typically use professional headshots in their email and social media marketing campaigns. Headshots are great and they certainly have a place in your marketing collateral (with submissions...
View ArticleHigh Court Drama Unfolds Regarding Same-Sex Marriage
Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case concerning the validity of California’s Proposition 8. A link to the audio and transcript of the oral argument is...
View ArticleAvoiding Conflicts When it Comes to Distributing Trust Assets
Careful estate planning may help avoid later conflicts and challenges among the beneficiaries and heirs of a person after their death. It is not always easy for a person to discuss these matters with...
View ArticleLeverage the Power of Live Testimonials at Your Seminars!
Whether looking for a new dentist, contractor, plumber or even a pet sitter, millions of consumers visit Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List and other consumer advocate-oriented websites to read...
View ArticleAvoiding Increased Income Taxes
I’ve blogged in the past about how a Charitable Remainder Trust can help avoid the 3.8% Medicare surcharge and the 20% income tax bracket for capital gain / dividend income. It does so by spreading...
View Article3 Steps to Google+ Success
Since being introduced in 2011, Google+ has been alternately viewed as either the social network destined to usurp Facebook or a dismal failure that few people use. In truth, the real value of Google+...
View ArticleWarn Clients About Medicare Fraud – and Help Them Fix It
First, a word of congratulations to the American Academy on its 20th anniversary, to be celebrated later this month in my own home base – the City of Brotherly Love. (And now to the blog…) All seniors,...
View ArticleWho Pays the Tax?
Often, there is confusion regarding the income taxation of trusts. There are two general types of trusts for income tax purposes: grantor trusts and non-grantor trusts. A grantor trust gets its status...
View ArticleTHE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS — Session 1, Why Most Small Businesses Fail
We are pulling together THE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS—1993 through 2013. There are eight courses that we’ll be offering to non-members at no charge during our 20th year, (members feel free to sign up and...
View ArticleMad Men Season Opener Features Estate and Funeral Planning Issues
Estate planning attorneys can use the popular TV program Mad Men to help their clients start conversations on wills, trusts and funerals. In the season premiere of AMC-TV’s Mad Men, mortality seems to...
View ArticleThe Green Book
President Obama recently released the Administration’s FY2014 budget proposal, including the Treasury’s “Green Book.” There were some interesting inclusions. Many estate-planning attorneys breathed a...
View ArticleA New Opportunity for Academy Members to Systematize and Grow Their Practice
The Academy recently announced a new coaching model for members consisting of 11 Training Courses. Each course has a series of classes, and the subjects focus on major practice building systems and...
View ArticleNurturing Prospects with Email is a Long-Term Courtship
From friends and family to clients and prospects, we all have relationships that require some form of nurturing on a regular basis. Just like you know that giving Mary a dozen yellow roses on your...
View ArticleProposed Estate & Gift Tax Changes
In this video blog, Associate Director of Education, Steve Hartnett, examines the Obama Administration’s “Green Book,” or revenue proposals. The blog discusses the 5 proposals of greatest interest to...
View ArticleTHE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS — Session 2, Top 10 Legal Questions (and Answers)
We are pulling together THE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS—1993 through 2013. There are eight courses that we’ll be offering to non-members at no charge during our 20th year, (members feel free to sign up and...
View ArticleWhy Detaching from Your Job After Working Hours Enhances Your Job Performance
In today’s electronic age of smartphones, tablets and laptops, it is a challenge for many working professionals to detach from their jobs during non-working hours. If you are one of those who are...
View Article
