25 Days of Giving: How Iowa Court Rule 39.18 Could Change Giving by Iowa Attorneys

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The December/January issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine is out! Click here and scroll to page 13 to read the final piece in my four-part series on the practical application of Iowa’s new succession planning rule for lawyers and law firms. “Giving for good: Practical application of Iowa Court Rule 39.18” covers how the rule may well significantly increase charitable giving by Iowa attorneys through both business succession planning and personal estate planning.

Iowa Court Rule December Article

While the series is targeted toward Iowa lawyers, the advice throughout can be applicable to individuals in need of personal estate planning as well as business owners in need of business succession plan. Click on the following links to read the past articles related to the Rule.

  1. September issue: overview of Iowa’s new succession planning rule and the importance of personal estate planning as well
  2. October issue: 8 simple steps for a successful business succession
  3. November issue: benefits of a supplemental plan

This month’s Iowa State Bar Association publication also includes features on: issues and roles of startups and in-house counsel; Larry Johnson Jr., the new State Public Defender; cover story on intellectual property lawyer, Brandon Clark; periodic cost-of living adjustments for indigent defense compensation; data on the realities of attracting young attorneys to the state’s small towns; and the Kids First Law Center, among other great pieces.

If you would like to discuss any questions or concerns related to personal estate planning or a succession plan for your business (including law firms), don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Read The Iowa Lawyer: Latest Article On Succession Planning

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Sure, reading about succession planning for attorneys mandated by Iowa Court Rule 39.18 isn’t the most exciting news of the day, but it is certainly is important which is why you should scroll to page 8 of this month’s edition of The Iowa Lawyer. If you’re not an attorney, fear not. The article covers actions that are wise for all business owners and independent professional advisors to consider in their business succession planning. For example the advice that: “Having a detailed supplemental plan should bring you peace of mind, and also peace of mind to your family and your firm’s employees. A supplemental plan can show your clients you care to the utmost about their well-being.”

This article is the third in a series of four for the Iowa State Bar Association publication. You can find info on the first article, here and the second, on the eight simple steps for a successful business succession, here.

Click here or on the image below to read “Supplemental plan: Practical application of Iowa Court Rule 39.18.”

The Iowa Lawyer magazine cover November 2017

Questions? Comments? Feel the urge to get started on your much needed business succession plan? Feel free to contact me any time to discuss. I offer a one-hour free consultation, without any obligation. I can be reached any time at my email, gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com, or by phone at 515-371-6077.

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Read GoFisch: October Edition is Out

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October GoFisch

The October edition of GoFisch is out! Give GoFisch a read to learn more about National Estate Planning Awareness Week, meet the newest addition to the Gordon Fischer Law Firm team, read news applicable to philanthropy and nonprofits, and click to Halloween-related blog posts on estate planning.

Like what you read? Don’t forget to subscribe.

 

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Read My Latest Article in The Iowa Lawyer

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Two people reading The Iowa Lawyer on tablet and phone

Hot off the press is Volume 77 Number 9 October 2017 edition of The Iowa Lawyer, published by the Iowa State Bar Association. Inside the cover (featuring a great piece on the Iowa Court of Appeals) is my second article in a series of four regarding Iowa Court Rule 39.18. The Rule involves succession planning for solo and private legal practitioners. However, while targeted to lawyers, the eight simple steps for a successful business succession are also applicable to business owners and entrepreneurs in other industries as well.

Click here or on the image below and scroll to page 14 to give it a read.

The Iowa Lawyer October 2017

Any questions after reading? Feel the urge to get started on your much needed business succession plan? Feel free to contact me any time to discuss. I offer a one-hour free consultation, without any obligation. I can be reached any time at my email, gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com, or by phone at 515-371-6077.

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Upcoming Presentation: Succession Success, Business Planning in Six Simple Steps

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I’m excited to present an upcoming Expert Edge Seminar hosted by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. The presentation topic, Succession Success: Business Planning in Six Simple Steps, is super important and relevant for entrepreneurs and business owners. 

Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Logo

Why? Because taking calculated risks in business is often smart, but taking risks with the future of your business is a gamble you don’t want to chance.

Business owners should certainly have a personal estate plan, but also a business succession plan as well.

Through my practice I’ve worked with many business owners (and nonprofit leaders) on the “what, why, and how” of planning for a lasting legacy. My (interesting, engaging, and not boring) presentation will include the important elements:

  • What is a “business will?”
  • Why do you need a business succession plan?
  • How can your small business support your favorite charities and your retirement simultaneously?
  • Six essential steps for succession success

Take some time out of your work day to invest in your future; I would love to see you at the presentation on Wednesday September 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The cost includes lunch and is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. The location will be at the beautiful BioVentures Center, 2500 Crosspark Road, Coralville.

Definitely save your spot for what should be an informative, interesting, and even fun lunch hour. Click here to register on the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce website.

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Read All About It: Published in September Issue of The Iowa Lawyer

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Power of attorney signing

The September issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine is out, including my piece on the practical application of Iowa’s new succession planning rule for lawyers and law firms. The article is part of a series of four that will run in subsequent issues. This month’s ISBA publication also includes features on: State Court Administrator David Boyd, who is retiring after 40 years with the Iowa Judicial Branch; the opioid epidemic in the legal profession; challenging excessive court fees in probate; and, tips for pre-mediation planning.

Iowa Lawyer front of magazine

The Iowa Lawyer is the Iowa State Bar Association’s official publication. The magazine features information on legal developments, legislative news, Bar history, “views from the bench,” profiles of legal community leaders, and ISBA events.

If you would like to read my article, click here and scroll to page 18. I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the piece either in the comments below, or via email at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com.

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Read GoFisch: August Edition

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Woman with laptop reading GoFisch

Let’s be honest a newsletter from your local law firm doesn’t sound like it should be the top must-read on your list. But, GoFisch is different. It’s easy to read, interesting (or so I’ve been told), and a concise, helpful run down on topical news and my recent blog posts. Give GoFisch a read, subscribe, and share it with your friends & colleagues. (If you missed the previous edition of GoFisch, you can read it here.)

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From a Client: Why we Chose to Hire Gordon Fischer to Create our First Estate Plan

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Although well-meaning, my husband and I are perpetually running late. We are late for everything—missing the first two minutes of a movie, showing up 30 seconds too late to see the balloon drop at a New Year’s Eve party, showing up to a physical therapy session five minutes late… Sound familiar?

When it came to finances, my husband and I managed to keep up on bills and our credit scores were decent, but we were always just doing the minimum to keep our heads above water. Saving enough funds for a couple trips, enough to pay the bills, and maybe throw a couple bucks into long term savings.

There is a game changer in this equation: our daughter.

Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash

She has been the single greatest catalyst in our lives and has forced us to address the facts about sound financials and estate planning. We were especially concerned about the potential for an accident involving both me and my husband.

We decided to create an estate plan with Gordon because we needed reassurance that should anything happen to us, she would be cared for with as minimal amount of legal hiccups as possible.

Gordon set us up with a complete estate plan. It wasn’t nearly as complicated (nor as expensive) as we would have thought.

My husband and I took special care selecting her guardians, should something happen to us, as well as setting up a trust for her to gain access to assets after her 18th birthday.

We plan to revisit the estate plan annually, just to make sure that everything is current. In addition to her college fund, it is our way of taking her financial security seriously and planning for the unexpected. Maybe she’ll forgive us for the chronic lateness she inherited with the knowledge that she has also inherited a strong financial support system in place to help her, no matter what.

Note from Gordon: If you’re like this client (who wished to remain anonymous), children and grandchildren can mean you’ll pursue legal and financial actions you never thought of before to ensure piece of mind that they’ll be taken care of if something happens to you. There’s no harm in giving me a call or shooting me an email to at least talk about what you may need in terms of an individualized estate plan. I look forward to working with you!

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Expert Interview: Life Insurance & Your Estate Plan

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Two people looking at sunset

When you think about estate planning, life insurance doesn’t come to mind first. Your house, collectibles, and 401k? Sure. Yet, life insurance is present in almost every quality estate plan and can serve as a source of support, coverage, and liquidity to pay death taxes, expenses, fund business buy-sell agreements and sometimes to fund retirement plans. A life insurance policy, when used correctly, can be used to protect your estate and ensure your lasting legacy. Yet, for even the savviest of people who have a plan in place for the future, how life insurance fits into the estate planning puzzle can prove complicated.

puzzle pieces all mixed up

Enter Christa Payne, a Financial Representative for Country Financial in North Liberty, who was generous enough to share her expertise on the subject. Christa has been with Country Financial for over seven years and you can tell she’s passionate about what she does. She finds joy in being a part of planning for the future for all her clients.

Christa Payne
Gordon Fischer Law Firm (GFLF): In general, what role does a life insurance policy play within an estate plan?

Christa Payne: Generally, life insurance is a great vehicle to provide estate liquidity (in order to pay taxes, debts, administrative expenses, family allowance for surviving spouses and dependents). It can also provide debt relief or continuation plans (buy-sell for businesses, etc.), provide income replacement, and wealth accumulation…proceeds are paid to beneficiaries income tax-free!

GFLF: Can life insurance affect the amount of taxable assets of the estate?

CP: Yes, if you are the owner of the policy, it gets added into estate calculation (up to $5.49 million as of 2017). However, if you give up rights to the policy for longer than three years, it doesn’t have to be included. There are steps you can take to make sure that the death benefit or the replacement value don’t get included in the estate calculation.

GFLF: What are the options for charitable giving with/through a life insurance policy? Can you “give” or transfer your policy to a charity?

CP: Premiums can be deductible, but the owner and beneficiary both have to be the charity. Yes, you can transfer your policy to a charity or purchase a new one. Life insurance can be a great way to turn a smaller cash donation into a larger donation!

GFLF: What are some errors you’ve heard of/seen in regards to life insurance and estate planning? What should people know to avoid these pitfalls?

CP: There are many errors that can be made, including: listing the wrong beneficiary (or failing to update as things change—beneficiaries trump a will!) and having an inadequate amount of coverage in force are two major ones. People should always meet with a competent financial professional and attorney to discuss their life insurance and estate plan. It’s vital to complete annual reviews of the policy, as simple as that seems, things change, and it’s easy to forget. It’s always great to be reminded of what policy you have, how it works, and what will happen in the event of a death.

GFLF: What’s the difference for life insurance between revocable and irrevocable trusts? Is one category recommendable over another?

CP: In a revocable trust, there is no gift tax on funding the policy and it avoids probate. The death benefit, however, is included in the grantor’s gross estate. In an irrevocable trust, it avoids probate, has asset protection against creditors, and is excluded from gross estate. One is not necessarily better than the other, it depends on the specific needs of each individual client at the time the trust is established.

Let’s Talk About Your Life Insurance

Take it from Christa, life insurance as a part of your estate plan is important. If you have questions on her advice or think you need a new/updated policy, don’t hesitate to give her a call at 319-626-3516 or shoot her an email. (A resource like this research can also be useful in comparing insurance plans.)

Of course, you also need an estate plan before life insurance an be a part of it)!  Contact me to get started or fill out my obligation-free estate plan questionnaire.

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Estate Sale? No. It’s an Estate Plan Sale!

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estate plan sale

WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLAN SALE?

For a limited time only (June 15 to July 15, 2017), you can receive a standard estate plan (which consists of six “must-have” estate planning documents) for only $500 (five hundred dollars). You will be billed only at the conclusion of this process, when you are executing the documents. So, obviously, you won’t pay anything until you are completely satisfied with both the plan and your understanding of the plan.

man working at desk on computer

What if you need or want, something more than the standard estate plan? Like, say, a revocable living trust? A standard estate plan, including a revocable living trust, will only cost you $1,000 (one thousand dollars). A revocable living trust accrues several benefits, including avoiding probate; saving costs, taxes, and fees; getting bequests to beneficiaries more quickly; and privacy.

I should note that either package comes with as many consultations (meetings, emails, and phone calls) with me as you reasonably feel we need to finish your estate plan. Again, you’re not sitting down to execute the documents, and so you’re not being billed (let alone paying anything!), until you are completely satisfied with both the process and the results of the process.

Gordon Fisch Estate Plan

WHY?

Why have an estate plan sale? Several reasons, actually.

To begin, the mission of my law firm is to promote and maximize charitable giving in Iowa. Straight up, the more estate planning Iowans do, the more charitable giving will occur.

Sure, not everyone who constructs an estate plan uses it to give to charities, but many do. Again – it’s simply a numbers game; the more estate planning, the more money flowing to worthwhile causes.

Also, 60% of Americans don’t have a will/estate planning. I want to help combat that statistic in Iowa. We can do better. Working together, we will do better.

Grandpa face

Finally, everyone deserve access to a secure future and a legacy. For these reasons, I’m offering very special rates.

HOW?

How much money are you saving? Quite a bit actually!

Speaking very generally, an estate plan from my Firm usually costs a single person about $700, and a family about $850. So, under this Estate Plan Sale, that’s a saving of about $200 for singletons to $350 for your family!

Family: mom, son, and dad

Also, speaking very generally, an estate plan including a revocable living trust, from my Firm, usually costs a single person about $1,300, and a family about $2,200. So, under this Estate Plan Sale, that’s a saving of about $300 for singletons and a whopping savings of $1,200 for your family!

WHERE?

Any Iowan is eligible. I am licensed to practice law in Iowa, and I have clients all over the state. In our modern age of emails, scanning, and cell phones, mere physical distance is not an issue.

I have clients from Burlington and Carroll to Sioux City and Urbandale. If you want to work with me, I want to work with you, and we can easily find ways to do so.

HOW?

I write about my process at length, but it’s just five steps! Seriously, it’s not that painful, it truly isn’t. My clients report back to me that they have such relief and peace of mind when it’s completed.

Peace signs at the golden gate bridge

WHEN?

NOW! RIGHT NOW!

Again, the special deal of $500 for a standard estate plan, and $1,000 for a standard estate plan plus a revocable living trust, will last only a limited time, June 15 to July 15, 2017. I’m already backlogged, so ACT NOW. Do not wait!

We all know, of all the seasons, summer goes by the fastest. Time can run out on you; don’t let that happen.

You can reach me most easily by email at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com or call my cell, 515-371-6077. Don’t delay—write or call today.

A great place to start in on the process is with my Estate Planning Questionnaire.

mom and son on street

DISCLAIMERS

The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and in no way creates an attorney-client relationship, nor any other kind of professional relationship. The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and does not create a contract or agreement of any kind.
GFLF, P.C. retains full and total discretion as to who it chooses to serve as clients and why. GFLF, P.C. retains the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses.
The Estate Plan Sale may not apply to individuals or families with a net worth of more than $1 million dollars. (You still need an estate plan, very much so, but it necessarily needs to be much more “complex.”).
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