Succession Planning - The Most Important Business Plan a Small Business Owner Can Make

As a small business owner, you put your heart and soul into building your company. But what happens when it’s time to move on? Whether you are retiring, selling, or passing the business on to your children, you need a plan. That’s where succession and estate planning meet.

Business, Estate PlanningBrocton SkeenSeptember 12, 2023Succession Planning, Small Business, Business Survival, Estate PlanningComment

Secure Your Children's Future: An Introduction to Estate Planning for Working Parents

At The Skeen Firm, we understand the importance of securing your family’s future. So, let’s discuss estate planning for dual-income families with minor children. Implementing a comprehensive estate plan can help you guarantee that you protect and support your children, no matter what life may bring. Here, we’ll explain the critical components of an estate plan and how it can safeguard your family’s intellectual capital.

Estate PlanningBrocton SkeenSeptember 5, 2023Estate Planning, Estate, TrustsComment

Trust Us—Trusts Aren’t Just For the Wealthy

If we have heard “I don’t need a trust because I am not rich” once, we’ve heard it a million times. If each time were worth a dollar, we would have a big marketing budget to bust this myth. What is at the core of this misconception? That is hard to tell. What we do know is that a revocable living trust is an excellent estate and long-term planning solution for many.

Estate PlanningBrocton SkeenAugust 11, 2022Trusts, Estate PlanningComment

Essential Estate Planning

An essential estate package consists of five documents: a Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney, a HIPAA Release form and a Final Disposition Instruction sheet.

Estate PlanningCrystal L. McLaughlinDecember 2, 2021Estate Planning, Power of Attorney

SECURE Act - Searching for a Stretch

The SECURE Act, short for Securing Every Community Up for Retirement Act of 2019, took effect in January 2020. Congress’ intent in passing the SECURE Act was to expand retirement options, particularly 401(k)s through small businesses and for part-time employees. Further, it opens avenues to protect retirement income by offering annuities through 401(k) plans. This means….Other improvements include postponing the required minimum distribution (RMD) age to 72. It also allows traditional IRA owners to make contributions indefinitely. All of these changes are geared to help Americans grow and preserve their retirement accounts.

Estate PlanningBrocton SkeenApril 7, 2020IRA, 401(k), Retirement, Planning Comments

Essential Estate Planning - The Legal House Protecting Your Family

A house and a sound estate plan have tremendous similarities that do not immediately meet the eye. Both are comprised of a firm foundation to build on, solid walls to protect all sides, and a roof to shelter when the proverbial sky is falling. But a house is a legitimate structure and an estate plan is just a bunch of legal documents with no foundation, walls, or a roof. What gives? The analogy unfolds below.