Powerful Members-Only Web Site
The following examples are actual items recently uploaded and made available to academy members.
The following information is updated regularly.
Educational Alerts
Tax Changes for 2012
This month's Alert reviews the inflation adjustments applicable to federal taxation in 2012. It examines changes in the estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer taxes, as well as income taxes.
Estate Planning Articles
Why a Trust Makes Sense - Even If Your Child Is Not a Child
If your children have reached adulthood, you might assume it's best to leave them their inheritances outright, with no restrictions. However, you want to make sure your children enjoy flexibility in accessing and using their inheritances while minimizing the impact of taxes, divorce, lawsuits, and other threats. Therefore, it might be better to leave their inheritances in a Trust.
Estate Planning Articles
I Have an Estate Plan: Do I Still Need My Attorney?
Your estate plan is prepared. Your Living Trust is in place and properly funded, you have a Pour-Over Will just in case, and your incapacity plan is ready and waiting in the event you need it. Is it time to part ways with your attorney? Not at all! In fact, your relationship with your estate planning attorney has just started.
Conference Calls
Practice Building Webinar Now Available!
Personnel Profiling Benchmarks: How to Gain Better Insight into Potential Hires
Personnel Profiling has developed new benchmarks for key positions within Academy Member firms: Owners, Receptionists, and Marketing Coordinators. These new benchmarks are introduced and explained during this webinar. In addition, information is provided about how to effectively use this information to assist in hiring, retaining, and developing great talent.
Member Submitted Items
New Member Submitted Item
Mike Robinson shares his medicaid CE Program.
Client Newsletter
2012 Income Tax Update Newsletter Insert
The 2012 Income Tax Update Newsletter Insert is now available! This double-sided newsletter insert, designed in Word, includes income tax information and planning tips. Click here to download the insert.
Classroom Conference Calls
November Education Call Now Available!
Dennis Sandoval discusses attorney professional responsibility, ethics, and common conflicts of interest an estate planning/elder law attorney will encounter in his or her practice.
Conference Calls
Upcoming Practice Building Webinar
Monday, January 23rd, 2012, 12pm PTPersonnel Profiling Benchmarks: How to Gain Better Insight into Potential Hires
Personnel Profiling has developed new benchmarks for key positions within Academy Member firms: Owners, Receptionists, and Marketing Coordinators. These new benchmarks will be introduced and explained during this webinar. In addition, information will be provided about how to effectively use this information to assist in hiring, retaining, and developing great talent.
Estate Planning Articles
Your Family Deserves More Than an Estate Plan
If you want to leave a true legacy, a traditional estate plan is not enough. With Legacy Planning, you can pass on your values, wisdom, and family heritage along with your nest egg. You can also provide your children's inheritances with just the right amount of protection from the threats and challenges of life.
Estate Planning Articles
Planning Your Estate With Privacy in Mind
When you use a Will to plan your estate, much of your personal information becomes public after your death. A Trust can help you accomplish your estate planning goals while shielding your personal affairs from prying eyes.
Educational Alerts
Income from Trust Excluded in Determining Alimony Payments
This month’s Alert examines when the income of a trust may be considered available to creditors. The Alert examines a case involving the availability for purposes of determining alimony.
“In my 23 years as an attorney, I've been through many practice models. I've worked in a prestigious firm, worked for the Federal Government, worked in a small firm, operated in a partnership and ultimately opened my own firm. During the first half of my career, I was diligently searching for the model which would make me happy and allow me to honorably serve my clients and still have a balanced family life. I've worked closely with the two gentlemen who helped write this book and I attribute my success and happiness as a lawyer and layperson to their coaching. This book is the perfect primer for new law school graduates and seasoned attorneys seeking the answers which have alluded them in striking the right balance between life and law. Unfortunately, while law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, it does a poor job of teaching you how to operate in a law firm or run a legal business. I've read all of Michael Gerber's books and heard him speak numerous times. I think he's right on point. This book is a supplement to his other books and specifically addresses the challenging issues which cause attorney dissatisfaction and law firm failure. If you are a satisfied attorney you shouldn't read this book. It's not for you. If you are not happy, this is the place to start. Legal practices are changing at a rapid speed. The old models are being replaced like yesterday's garbage. Successful, happy lawyers understand the skills involved in operating their practices as businesses. In my experience, this creates happy, satisfied clients. It's a win-win situation. Two of my children are now in college, both wishing to pursue different passions. I've encouraged both of them to get business degrees and learn accounting, computer skills, social networking, human resources, entrepreneurship and the myriad of other components mentioned in this book.”
Cheryl D. — North Carolina Member