Gifting, trusts, stewardship, impact planning.
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn State estate taxes can consume 10-20% of your wealth before your heirs receive a single dollar. For a $5 million estate in Washington or Oregon, that’s $500,000 to $1 million disappearing to state tax collectors—money that could fund your children’s retirements, establish charitable foundations, or support grandchildren’s educations. Meanwhile, […]
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn High-net-worth homeowners facing potential estate tax exposure—estates exceeding $13.61 million individually or $27.22 million for couples in 2024—watch substantial portions of accumulated wealth evaporate through 40% federal estate taxation plus additional state estate taxes in jurisdictions with lower thresholds like Massachusetts ($2 million), Oregon ($1 million), or Connecticut ($12.92
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn You’ve built substantial wealth accumulating a $50 million net worth through business success and real estate investments. Your financial advisor mentions you’re paying over $2 million annually in investment taxes—capital gains on stock sales, dividends, interest income, and rental property income all generating substantial tax liability year after year.
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Your parents built substantial wealth over their lifetimes—a paid-off home worth $800,000, a portfolio of rental properties generating $120,000 annually, retirement accounts totaling $2 million, and life insurance policies worth another $500,000. They’re now in their mid-70s, beginning conversations about estate planning and legacy. You realize that over the
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn You own highly appreciated real estate purchased decades ago for $200,000 now worth $2,000,000. Selling triggers $450,000+ in capital gains taxes, consuming nearly 25% of your equity before you see a dollar. A charitable remainder annuity trust converts this appreciated property into guaranteed lifetime income—tax-free—while providing immediate six-figure tax
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn High-income real estate investors and business owners frequently face substantial tax obligations—federal marginal rates reaching 37%, state taxes adding 5-13%, and net investment income surtaxes contributing additional 3.8% potentially creating combined effective rates exceeding 50% in high-tax states. A couple earning $500,000 annually might pay $150,000-$200,000 in income taxes,
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Your estate planning attorney just explained that your $15 million real estate portfolio will grow to $30+ million over the next 20 years, pushing your estate far beyond federal exclusion amounts and triggering $6-8 million in estate taxes your family could avoid through strategic planning today. The challenge isn’t
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Successful professionals, business owners, and real estate investors face constant liability exposure from lawsuits, creditor claims, and professional malpractice actions that threaten decades of wealth accumulation. A single lawsuit—whether legitimate or frivolous—can wipe out your net worth if assets remain vulnerable to creditor claims. Irrevocable asset protection trusts provide
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn You’ve spent decades building wealth through real estate investments, business ventures, and disciplined saving. Your net worth exceeds $5 million across properties, accounts, and businesses. Yet when your attorney asks about your legacy planning, you realize you haven’t documented asset locations, prepared heirs for inheritance responsibilities, or structured transfers
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn You’ve spent decades building a rental property portfolio now worth $5 million generating substantial passive income. Your goal is transferring this wealth to your children and grandchildren while minimizing estate taxes that could consume 40% or more of your life’s work. Your estate planning attorney mentions something called a
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Your estate planning attorney just calculated that your $3 million life insurance policy, combined with your real estate portfolio and investment accounts, pushes your taxable estate to $18 million—$4.4 million over the federal estate tax exclusion. At 40% estate tax rates, your heirs face $1.76 million in unnecessary taxes