CPS Resource Center

In a way, the pressure of real-time information is polarizing - the hard-working people are becoming harder to replace, while slackers and perhaps less knowledgeable people are just not needed. Continue Reading »

By Jeff Brooks
Something’s wrong with fundraising. At least, that’s one conclusion you could draw from a study reported in the Wall Street Journal Wealth Report blog at Why the Rich Give to Charity.
The survey, by the Center on Philanthropy and Bank of America, asked people with incomes of $200,000 or more or a net worth of $1 million-plus, about their motivations for giving to charity. Here’s the key finding: Continue Reading »

By Hannah Shaw
Developing a comprehensive estate plan with an experienced legal professional can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Not having an estate plan in place and operational at the time of death can cost both time and money in the form of unnecessary complications and taxes for the estate’s heirs. Continue Reading »

November 24, 2008
San Francisco Federal Court Halts Sales of Tax Schemes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 24, 2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV

Walnut Creek, Calif., Firm Allegedly Helped Customers Avoid Tax on More Than $25 Million Through Insurance and IRA Scheme Download the IRS lawsuit

WASHINGTON - A San Francisco federal judge has ordered Edwin Lichtig III and his Walnut Creek, Calif.-based firm, GSL Advisory Solutions, to stop promoting unlawful tax schemes, the Justice Department announced today. The defendants agreed to the permanent injunction order without admitting the government’s allegations against them. The United States sued Lichtig and GSL alleging that they promoted tax fraud schemes involving Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) that helped customers improperly avoid federal income tax on more than $25 million. Continue Reading »

Jeanie Wyatt

The government’s massive economic package (the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in October, contained many provisions designed to help or to stimulate the economy in one way or another. The jury will be out for quite a while on how effective a number of those “fixes” will be in the long run.There was one good provision worth mentioning, which hopefully no one will complain about. (Right now there are so many acronyms being bantered around that you don’t want this one to be lost in the shuffle.) Continue Reading »

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. Continue Reading »

By Dave Hatfield
Monday, November 10, 2008 7:09 PM CST

While Americans can realize significant benefits from estate plans, surprisingly, more than half do not have one in place. And, regardless of the size of one’s estate, proper planning can prevent family disputes over the disposition of assets.

Continue Reading »

Thwap-OUCH-thud… Thwap-OUCH-thud…Thwap-OUCH-thud…”

Fred, the flea, was trapped. Not in the fur of a dog or a cat. No. Fred was trapped in a jar with a tightly sealed lid. Continue Reading »

Here is a sample presentation you can watch. The first part is an example of a presentation I made to a non-profit board.  http://cps3.growcharity.org/wp-content/uploads/gatheringpart11.flv

This is an example of dialogue you can use in any small group presentation.http://cps3.growcharity.org/wp-content/uploads/gatheringpart2.flv

We just began our Donor Estate Planning Series.  We have been sharing with our partner charities ways that could begin looking for gifts that everyone could make.  This includes bequests, testamentary gifts etc. Continue Reading »