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<title>Denice Gierach - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Denice_Gierach</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:10:33 -0600</pubDate>
<image><title>Denice Gierach - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Denice_Gierach</link>
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<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2012 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
<description><![CDATA[EzineArticles.com is Trusted By Millions as The Source For Quality Original Articles]]></description>
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<title>Another Type of Audit Is Coming for Certain Businesses</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6833795</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6833795</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:55:01 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Several years ago, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, referred to as HIPAA for short. This purpose of this law is in part the protection of health care information for individuals. This is a privacy issue and a data security issue. Many of the readers of this article may have had to sign an additional form to allow their family member to have access to any medical information about themselves. This is part of what that law required.]]></description>
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<title>When Should Owners Develop An Exit Strategy?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6833791</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6833791</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:54:42 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many times an owner of a business, particularly a family owned business, will question when they should develop an exit strategy from that business. It may sound counterintuitive, but the time to develop the exit strategy is when you acquire or go into the business, not at a later point in time when you have to sell due to health issues, and the like.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>For the Love of the Land</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6833797</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6833797</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:05:47 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sometimes a person owns some acreage that they may have either purchased or inherited. This acreage is really special, as it is beautiful, natural or untouched. If you are that person, you may want to preserve its beauty and make sure that it does not just become another subdivision. What step can you take now that will help you to preserve that land and its purpose?]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Is Your Business Sustainable?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6489102</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6489102</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:06:01 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Is your family owned business sustainable? From the time you start or purchase the business, you should be looking towards your eventual exit strategy.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>The Importance of Business Philanthropy</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6439766</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6439766</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:48:24 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business owners, especially in a down economy, are so involved in making their numbers, that they probably do not give much thought to asking about business philanthropy. Why is it important? As it does not directly add amounts to the bottom line, why be involved in it? If you are a family owned business or a closely held corporation, you may be wondering why is it important to you? Are your philanthropic efforts all giving to the charity (certainly, a good cause) or does your firm get something back from all of your efforts or donations?]]></description>
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<title>Does a Buy Sell Agreement Make Sense?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6486606</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6486606</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:36:07 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you are one of several owners in a corporation or in a limited liability company, one good idea is to use a buy sell agreement. A buy sell agreement will allow your interest to be bought out by other owners in the business in the event that you die or are incapacitated or retire. Many times in a closely held business, it is difficult to sell the shares of one of the owners absent selling it to the other owners. It is also difficult to determine what the value of such shares is, especially if you are no longer here to help determine what the value is.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Preparing Your Business for Sale</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6486596</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6486596</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:08:48 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[These days I hear from many entrepreneurs and owners of family businesses who are thinking about selling their businesses. Some are selling due to health issues. Some have to sell as the owner has passed away. Many business owners tell me that they are thinking of selling because running that business is just not any fun anymore. Others are ready to retire and live the good life.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Talking to Your Elderly Parents About Lifestyle and Money</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6486583</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6486583</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:07:25 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There comes a time in your life when your parents are older and you are watching over them like they may have done for you when you were younger. You worry about them taking their medicines, about eating right, about falls in their home, and about whether they can live on their own any more without assistance. You may also be concerned about whether they are paying their bills or handling their health insurance claims. Another concern is if they can still drive and be safe.]]></description>
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<title>What Happens to Your IRA or 401(K) When You Die?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6340654</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6340654</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:53:26 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people are not aware that your IRA and any other employee benefit plan that was tax deferred is taxable in a number of ways at your death. It may be taxed by the federal government as part of the federal estate tax. It may also be taxed by the State of Illinois for the Illinois estate tax. In addition, there are specific rules on when the money in these accounts needs to be pulled out by the recipients, which are complicated depending on the circumstances, the beneficiary and if a trust is involved, whether that trust qualifies as a "look through" trust. In any event, when the beneficiaries take the money out of the plan, it is subject to federal income taxes on it.]]></description>
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<title>Are You An Innocent Spouse?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6340643</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6340643</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:46:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Are you considered an innocent spouse for tax purposes? What is an innocent spouse and is there a protection for innocent spouses?]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Tidbits From the Law - May 2011</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6227993</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6227993</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 09:33:26 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sometimes one of your neighbors whose property abuts yours may be using a portion of your property. It may be that you did not know that part of your neighbor's driveway is actually on your property or a shed that was erected by your neighbor is actually on your property.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Convenience Account or Joint Account?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6227979</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6227979</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 09:31:43 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many times our clients will add a name to their bank accounts, making the account a joint account. Sometimes that client wishes to have the person who was added to the account handle the account for the convenience of the client.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Is Your House in Order?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6227987</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6227987</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 09:29:52 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[I read an interesting question recently, which brought back to me why we do estate planning at our firm. The question was: "If something happens to you today, how would your family be affected tomorrow?"]]></description>
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<title>What's New This Year for Employers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6228001</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6228001</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 08:37:17 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many employers may not be aware of this law, called the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, which limits the authority of the employer to withhold compensation from employees. This law, which has been on the books for many years and was recently amended, requires that employers pay their employees compensation within a certain number of days following the pay period in which the compensation is earned.]]></description>
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<title>It's Time to Do a Good Financial Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962994</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962994</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:35:22 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It's the top of the new year and besides making New Year's resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthier, etc., it is time to prepare a good personal financial plan. Whether you are a young couple, an entrepreneur, an executive nearing retirement, a divorced woman after the divorce or a senior, a financial plan is essential to your personal financial well being.]]></description>
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<title>The IRS Has New Rules For Investors</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962986</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962986</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:34:27 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In the past, you might have your securities in street name in a brokerage account and you never told the broker your cost basis in the securities. Sometimes, you might have inherited some of the securities and received a new cost basis or received some shares as a gift, where you would either use the date of death value or the donor's cost basis respectively as your cost. When you would sell the stock, the brokerage company would issue a Form 1099 to you with a list of the stocks sold and the sale prices.]]></description>
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<title>A New Federal Estate Tax Law - What Does It Mean?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962980</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962980</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:33:34 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As you know, Congress passed a bill, which was signed by President Obama, which increased the lifetime federal estate tax exemption amount to $5 million dollars. In addition, Congress added a portability provision, which meant that if the spouse died first and did not use the entire amount at his or her death, that the balance of that amount could be used by the surviving spouse at his or her death.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Major Changes Governing Brokers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962975</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962975</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:54:45 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are major changes that have been made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protections Act that was passed on July 21, 2010. This law changes the relationship between the broker and the investors that work with the broker, increasing the standard of care that is required by the broker. In addition, the law provides that investors will have access to better protection where the standard of care is breached by the broker.]]></description>
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<title>Tidbits in the Law February 2011</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962967</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962967</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:52:18 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The following are items that we thought might interest you: The new tax law, called The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, provided a number of changes to deductions for small business owners, college students and teachers. As a result, it may be mid to late February for the IRS to be able to accept and process income tax returns for filers taking deductions based upon the new law. The Schedule A for itemized deductions will be affected.]]></description>
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<title>What to Look Forward to in Taxes for 2011</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5962951</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5962951</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:48:37 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is said that the only things that you cannot predict are death and taxes. That is a true statement, especially today, when we cannot predict with absolute certainty what the taxes will be for more than a year at a time. There have been so many changes to the tax law that it does boggle the mind. With a new Congress in place, more changes may be downstream that may affect 2011, that we have no information on at the present time.]]></description>
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<title>Franchising: Is It the Right Option for Your Business?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5496212</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5496212</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:47:29 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many times a business person develops a concept that can be sold through an expanded network of franchises. By using a franchise system, a company is able to distribute the products or services to its network using the franchisee's capital to do so.]]></description>
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<title>The Many Reasons to Have a Thorough Employee Handbook</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5092370</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5092370</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:13:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In this tough economy, hardly a week goes by where I don't hear from people who lost their job. Sometimes, they call to review a severance agreement. Many times they call asking if they have a claim for "wrongful discharge." Sometimes, an employer will get claims of this nature against them, even though they think their employees are hired on an "at-will" basis. Could these claims be avoided? This is one of the reasons to have an employee handbook.]]></description>
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<title>How to Keep the Business in the Family (Or Not)</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4460164</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4460164</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:43:58 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It has been said that it takes a generation to make a business and two generations thereafter to lose it. Usually, the entrepreneur creates the product or service and sells it, creating a great business model over his or her lifetime.]]></description>
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<title>How the Law Compensates Family Caregivers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4460177</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4460177</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:07:17 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many Naperville families have disabled parents, siblings or children that they take care of. In fact, the generation that cares for elderly parents and for their own children at the same time is known as the "sandwich generation."]]></description>
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<title>Using a Trust to Provide For Long Term Care</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4460205</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4460205</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:04:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As long term health care continues to spiral upwards, it is a good idea to have long term care insurance, which will provide something for both nursing home care and at home care. Beyond long term care insurance, which has its limits, an elder person can plan for long term care while protecting their assets. They do this by using a particular trust known as a Medicaid Trust.]]></description>
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<title>Ask a Tax Professional Before Losing Or Walking Away From Your Home</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4296028</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4296028</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 19:12:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[These days in this shaky economy and what the experts are calling the "jobless recovery," there are many people still out of work. Perhaps the reader of this article has friends or family that are currently out of work, but have been actively seeking work. ]]></description>
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<title>Why Have Share Transfer Restrictions For Closely Held Corporations (Or Even LLC's)?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4296060</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4296060</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 11:30:47 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[To accomplish these restrictions, the shareholders enter into a buy-sell agreement which provides the obligations and sets in place certain restrictions on the disposition of the stock in a business when the shareholder leaves the business. These restrictions seek to avoid undesirable business associates and preserve existing business interests and are tempered by creating a market for the shares of the departing shareholder.]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of a Team to the Growth of Your Business</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4188021</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4188021</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:41:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In this economy, it seems like the stars have to all align for your business to prosper. Besides the normal issues that a business owner has to deal with - employment issues, union issues, tax planning, how to acquire more business, cash flow, and the like - now that same business owner has to be mindful of impending higher taxes, health care reforms recently enacted into the law, as well as an increasing labyrinth of regulations sure to follow.]]></description>
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<title>An Option For Elders</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3886401</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3886401</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:42:53 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As a person gets older, they may find that it is harder to review the mail that comes in, pay the bills and deal with issues that may come up from time to time on those bills. Many times, an elder person can feel a bit overwhelmed at handling this task, particularly if the elder person is having health issues.]]></description>
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<title>Looking Towards the Future of Your Family Owned Business</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3886365</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3886365</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:42:23 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many business owners own family businesses that were either started by them or that were inherited from their parents who started the family business. He or she may have built that business into a nice size business that, despite the business cycles and the current unusual economy, throws off a nice income for them and allows the business owner to maintain a very comfortable lifestyle.]]></description>
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<title>Waiting For the Other Shoe to Drop in Commercial Real Estate</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3886335</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3886335</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:31:20 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Anyone who owns commercial real estate knows that there are cycles in commercial real estate. There are times when the commercial real estate market is "hot" and times when the real estate market is oversaturated and is considered "soft." As the economy has been in a deeper than normal recession, the commercial real estate market is also experiencing deeper issues than normal in a soft market. In fact, a congressional watchdog panel raised new warnings about the condition of the commercial real estate market.]]></description>
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<title>Tidbits From the Law</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3886303</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3886303</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:31:10 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A measure that would have extended COBRA benefits to a terminated employee has been cut from the Senate version of the jobs bill. The original version of the bill would have extended the benefit for three additional months. This measure will probably be advanced as a separate bill.]]></description>
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<title>New ADA Rules Alter Employment Landscape</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3619440</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3619440</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:56:17 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[On Jan. 1, a new act known as the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act went into effect, broadening the meaning of the word "disability." Both employers and employees awaited the regulations from the Equal Opportunity Commission, which would give guidance to the current state of the law. Many believe the regulations have changed the employment landscape completely.]]></description>
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<title>Year-End Tax Planning For Businesses</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3488720</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3488720</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:22:48 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In a short time, 2009 will be history. For many people, they will be happy for a fresh start in the New Year, hopefully full of new opportunities to grow their businesses and in turn grow their families. It is a time of celebration, of sharing thanks and love, and connecting with families and those that we cherish. It is also the time to do some year-end tax planning.]]></description>
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<title>Some Medicare Recipients Will See a Rise in Premiums in 2010</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3278521</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3278521</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:46 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Medicare program has announced its 2010 premium and coinsurance rates. Due to an anticipated increase in medical costs, there will be an increase in Medicare-related premiums, although not all recipients will have to pay the new rates. Over the last few years, there have been changes in rate-setting by Medicare. Now, not every Medicare beneficiary can expect to pay the same portion of his or her medical, as in the past. Instead, there is a confusing system of co-payments, deductibles and premiums, which are even more confusing.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Is Buying a Franchise Your Best Option?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3179083</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3179083</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:28:35 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people looking to buy a business consider buying a franchise. After all, they think the franchisor has a cookie-cutter approach that can't miss and they can just walk into the new business, which will be flush with cash. In the numbers I have read, four out of five new franchise businesses will not be around in five years. The numbers of franchises that fail are staggering.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Where to Turn When Business Partners Are in Conflict</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3134164</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3134164</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:04:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many times partners in a business start out at the beginning of the business excited to go into business with each other.  Each has their own separate skill set that they bring to the table, whether it is in sales, production or operations. ]]></description>
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<title>Is This a Good Time to Transfer Your Wealth to Your Children?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/3134144</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/3134144</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:03:42 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[With the interest rates at a really low rate, and with the economic fallout from the present economy, even people with money do not feel flush now and may decide that they do not want to make gifts to the next generation.  Even though the economy has been in recession many times before and has come out of it to prosperity, sometimes it is hard to look beyond the present time to see that prosperity.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>So You Have Entered Retirement - Now What?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2995533</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2995533</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:34:04 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Now that you have made the decision to retire -or the decision was made for you by the company that you worked for- it is time to decide what to do with your life. While you may want to take some well-deserved time off, try to set out a time line for that vacation and a self-imposed deadline to make the decisions for your future.   Remember that your prior job did not define you and may be just the stepping stone to something that you always wanted to do in your life, but were unable to do as a result of your obligations or other circumstances.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Consider a Donor Advised Fund</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2911034</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2911034</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:42:02 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people give small amounts to numerous charities, without considering whether and how to give more of their total charitable gifts to those organizations that assist in dealing with issues near and dear to their heart, which may range from scholarships to educational institutions, research on cancer, Alzheimer's disease, mentoring programs, helping children, humane societies, to name but a few. Those larger gifts allow them to either support an existing program or to create a program that creates a legacy for their family while supporting those causes that really mean something to them.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Law Talk - Beware of Firms That Tout Tax Reductions</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2911025</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2911025</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:40:15 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most probably you have heard ads on the radio or seen spots on the television for businesses who claim to be able to help taxpayers who are behind on their tax liabilities. The ads claim that they are able to represent the taxpayers and can settle cases for pennies on the dollar. The ads chime-why pay more?]]></description>
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<title>Giving Something Back, A Wise Investment</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2850604</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2850604</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:52:31 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business people generally get a bad rap in the general press and the movies trying to make the business of making money a bad thing.  The reality is that many businesses that are successful have a genuine desire to give back to the community, which they do in many ways.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Not Easy, But Being Green Is the Trendiest</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2703342</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2703342</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:41:34 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It's not easy being green - or so the song goes.  That being said, with the new administration in Washington, going green is not only "hip", but there may be some tax advantage or grants to entice you to go green.  One application of the green concept is a green building. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Your Attorney is Your Trusted Advisor</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2703317</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2703317</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:11:57 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When you have given birth to that business idea, you want to take the idea and run with it. You may or may not have experience to know the legal items that you will need and you may or may not have the accounting background to do a proper financial plan.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Be Aware of Changes in the Tax Law For 2009</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2665198</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2665198</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:45:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Included in this law were a number of provisions that affect income taxes for the year 2009, some of which might affect you or your family.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Is  Now the Right Time to Buy Rather Than Lease?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2506647</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2506647</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:26:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is true that in the short term, landlords are giving great deals to tenants to keep rent flowing. This is always the case in times of recession, where there are not as many new prospective tenants competing for the same space. However, even though this may be the case today, it will not be so in the future. When business conditions improve and there are many more tenants out there, count on the rental rates to rise.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Warranties, Representations Protect Buyer</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2092959</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2092959</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:08:09 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many business owners are retrenching in this current economic turmoil, but those who are able to project beyond the current crisis see business opportunities.  There are many business owners (potential sellers) who are at or close to retirement or no longer "have the fire in their belly" to continue to operate in this business clime.  It is true that the marketplace is challenging and it is not for the timid.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Working Out Issues With Your Lender</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2059596</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2059596</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:33:47 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is a fair statement that no one could have predicted the direction of the economy and the havoc that the economy would play in the commercial real estate market. Investing in real estate seemed like the ideal investment at the time-several years ago. It seemed like there was no way to lose, offering better returns at the time than in the stock market.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>When to Review Estate Plans</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2059580</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2059580</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:32:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Now that you, a Naperville resident, have completed your estate planning process with your lawyer, you are certainly pleased that you have made tough decisions for your estate planning, such as who should act as trustee, who should be the guardian of any minor children you may have, how you are protected in the event that you become disabled, to name just a few. Your attorney also has made the transfers of your property to your living trust, and you feel that you are finished. Are you?]]></description>
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<item>
<title>What Kind of FDIC Coverage Do You Have?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1794739</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1794739</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:41:46 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) is an independent federal agency which protects owners of bank account against losses if the bank or savings and loan fails. The amount of "insurance" that the FDIC provides has recently increased to $250,000 for each owner of the account, designed to quiet the financial markets. This amount of coverage is temporary and scheduled to return to the lower amount on January 1, 2010.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Tis the Season to Give Assets to Loved Ones And Dodge Estate Taxes</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1720902</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1720902</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:53:49 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The economy is in a temporary mess with home prices diminishing and the stock and bond market falling. Yet, for anyone with a federal estate tax issue potentially at his or her death, this is a good time to give as many assets as one can. This is one of the best opportunities to transfer wealth to younger generations, without incurring the federal estate tax in the process.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Keeping Vacation Homes in the Family</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1543318</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1543318</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:23:54 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Now that autumn has officially arrived, many people have spent fond memories of visits with their family in a vacation property. Perhaps you own a vacation property in Michigan along the water or at Eagle Ridge in Galena on the golf course. Wherever the property is located, one important question is how to keep the vacation home in the family after you have passed on.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Wrongful Termination</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536352</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536352</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:48:33 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[So, you were just laid off or fired without any reason at all.  You are really angry and feel that you were wrongfully terminated from your job.  Do you have any legal recourse?  That depends.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Seniors - Planning Ahead is Key to Financial Stability</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536326</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536326</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:48:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Today many family members live far away from each other, making it more difficult to monitor the condition and care of elderly relatives. Sometimes family members are not even aware of the needs of the elderly relatives or the current condition of their care. For all of these reasons, it is important to have seniors take proactive steps ahead of time to minimize the chances of guardianship proceedings or custody battles later.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Plan Ahead When Selling Your Business to Get the Best Price</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536334</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536334</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:30:33 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Small business owners generally fail to plan ahead when they think they might have an interest in selling their business and consequently fail to achieve the best price.  When a person sells a house, they normally redo the kitchen or bathrooms, change the carpet, revamp the landscaping in order to achieve their top dollar for the eventual sale of the home.  When selling a small business, the owner of the business rarely looks at the concerns that a buyer might have in determining the price.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Pet Trusts Ensure Fluffy Gets Fed After You're Gone</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536329</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536329</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:15:21 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[You personally may not be the type of person that would walk your dog in a dog stroller, but most people are very concerned about what happens to their pets in the event of their disability or their death.  Who will care for their pets?  How can they make sure that their pets are properly cared for and that the persons who will be responsible will have the funds to do that?]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Law in Limbo As Citizens Ride the Roller Coaster on Estate Tax</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536384</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536384</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:49:59 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Back in 2001, Congress changed the law on estate taxes, creating estate tax exemptions that changed over the years. For instance, in 2008, the exemption from federal estate tax is set at $2 million. If you have one dollar more than that number, your excess will be taxed at 45 percent plus, depending on the amount of the excess.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Parents' Medicaid Application May Be Affected by Gifts to Kids</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536379</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536379</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:47:48 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The gift that you received from mom and dad can be used by you in any manner that you wish.  However, if your parents enter a nursing home, they could be left in a bind.  This is due to the Deficit Reduction Act, which was enacted last February, which tightened the rules for qualifying for Medicaid help with their long-term care after making gifts to family members.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Life Insurance is a Good Safety Net, But Not For Everyone</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536342</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536342</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:46:02 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The old adage is true that life insurance is not so much about life as about death.  The only time that you or your family benefit from life insurance is at your death.  The trouble with life insurance is that it is often confusing to general consumers about both basic questions such as when to buy it and when to skip it or more complicated questions about how much coverage and which is the best policy for you.]]></description>
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<title>Think Twice Before Listing Junior As a Beneficiary on IRA</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536374</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536374</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:45:02 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people like to leave the beneficiary designation on their IRA accounts with the specific names of family members.  For instance, a husband might list his spouse as the primary beneficiary and if she does not survive him, the children are listed as the secondary beneficiary.  If the children are minors, will this be an effective transfer?]]></description>
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<item>
<title>You Own the Business - Should You Own the Space?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536370</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536370</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:43:39 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Both individuals and businesses are faced with the choice of whether to lease or purchase property.  Many of the same considerations apply whether the property is an automobile, a personal residence or an office condo or building. These considerations need to be weighed by the individual or company to determine which is the right decision for you.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>It is Easy to Protect Yourself From Scam Artists</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536364</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536364</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:41:58 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Using these techniques will allow a homeowner to lessen the risk of dealing with a contractor. Of course, a lower risk means you sleep better at night in that new room addition.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Prenuptial Agreements - A Safety Net</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1536358</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1536358</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:40:33 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A prenuptial agreement is a binding legal document entered into by a couple prior to their marriage which states what will happen to their income and assets during a marriage and what happens to their income and assets in the event that the marriage ends in death, divorce or separation.  The parties to the agreement make full disclosure to each other of their assets and liabilities and set forth in as much detail as they wish, what will happen during and after their marriage.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Court Decisions Put New Wrinkles in Eminent Domain</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1492206</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1492206</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:53:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Eminent domain is the law that allows the government to "condemn" your property and take it over for a public purpose.  In the past, the public purpose was for a government center, a school, a road or something that would benefit the general public.  Recently, there was a United States Supreme Court Case of a municipality in Connecticut that condemned a property so that it could economically revitalize an area.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Parents of Special Needs Children Should Develop Plan For Later in Life</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1492198</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1492198</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:51:40 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you have a child with special needs, you understandably worry about taking care of their needs while you are alive, but also after you have died.  A disabled or special needs parent needs to find appropriate care and services, work with the child to obtain independent living skills to the extent possible and protect that child from any harm.  This type of planning involves managing finances and making personal decisions in the event of the disability or death of both parents.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Hiring a Lawyer Before Starting a Franchise Could Save You Down the Road</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1492195</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1492195</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:49:23 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people come out of a corporate environment with a severance payment and look for a business that they can invest in.    If they were in middle management, they may feel that they know what they are doing in picking up a franchise opportunity. That being said, it is still a good idea to hire a franchise lawyer to assist you in reviewing the documents, which can include the offering circular, franchise agreement and lease or purchase of the property where the franchise may be located.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Just in Case - Organize Your Life in a Simple Binder</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469803</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469803</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:00:37 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you become disabled suddenly through a car accident or health calamity, will your family or significant other know what your wishes are? If you die suddenly, will those closest to you know what to do? Will they know where your pertinent papers are kept or what assets may be available for your care?]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tricky Business of 'Divorcing' a Business Partner</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1472057</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1472057</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:08:32 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When a business is new and the prospect of potential success is in the air, life looks and feels good.  Just as in a marriage, partners do not go into a partnership assuming that either the partnership will fail or they will need to "divorce" their partner.  If the parties follow their attorney's advice, they may have a written partnership agreement to guide and control the termination of the departing partner's interest in the partnership.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Like a Marriage, a New Business Partnership Needs a 'Pre-Nup'</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469849</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469849</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:07:58 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When you begin a new business with a partner, no matter what the form of the business, you should have a "prenuptial agreement" for your business.    In a marriage, you cannot predict how long the relationship will continue and how it will end. The same is true in a business context.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Pay Special Attention to the Commercial Lease</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469839</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469839</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:00:33 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In the excitement of forming a new business, whether a person is purchasing a franchise or forming a new business from scratch, one critical step in getting the business started usually gets little attention by the business owner - the commercial lease.     With everything else new business owners have to decide, they tend to spend too little time understanding the commercial lease.    Before business owners sign any commercial lease, they must read it and ...]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Know the Rules Before Listing Beneficiaries to IRA Account</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469835</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469835</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:59:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As the baby boomers retire, they are the first generation that will retire with large IRA accounts. When the boomers do their estate planning, one of the considerations in such planning is who to name the beneficiary of the large IRA account. One consideration for such a choice is certainly to try to minimize the tax burden on their estates.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Is a Reverse Mortgage a Good Option?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469828</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469828</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:59:08 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Since we are all living longer than medical science may have predicted when we were young, many times the principal assets an older person may have will be their home.  Since most elderly want to stay in their own homes for the rest of their lives, if their physical health allows, many elderly are faced with a tough choice: either sell the home and move to an apartment or assisted care facility or make use of a reverse mortgage.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Geriatric Consultants Can Help Families As Parents Age</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1469819</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1469819</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:57:02 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As the population ages and particularly our parents age, it is appropriate and helpful to use the services of a geriatric consultant. A number of companies offer a large variety of services depending on your family's needs. These firms are part patient advocate and part mediators with the family when required.]]></description>
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