Kindness That Lasts Being There for Someone Who’s Struggling
Focus on small gestures. Along with providing company, you can support your loved one with simple gestures — a phone call, handwritten note, or warm meal. These acts remind them that someone cares and that they are not alone. Continuing to show up for your friend even after the rest of the world has moved on can have an even greater impact. There’s no specific script to follow, but small efforts all add up and may matter more than you’ll ever know. If you have a friend or family member going through a hard time, validating their experience and being present for them can be all they need. While they may not remember what you said, they won’t forget you showed up and stayed when they needed you most.
We’ve all experienced bouts of bad mood and even occasional depression. While difficult to go through, it can be equally challenging to see someone we care about hurting and not know how to help. The main thing to remember is that providing support isn’t about fixing things; it’s about showing up in meaningful ways. Skip the pep talks and listen. For many of us, our initial instinct is to rush to lift our loved one’s spirits and help them break out of a bad mood. However, offering them space and a calm ear is often the best thing we can do. Friendly company can be comforting even if they’re not ready to talk. Just be sure they don’t feel pressure to do or say anything. This might mean bingeing a favorite TV show together or just being with one another in the same room.
THE ART OF UNLIMITED DEDUCTIONS MAXIMIZED MARITAL MAGIC
Devising the best estate plan to provide for those dearest to you can be emotionally and logistically challenging, even under the clearest circumstances. However, this process can be even more difficult due to the critical terms, conditions, and laws that could determine the strength or weakness of how your wishes are carried out upon your passing. To make things a little easier, here are the basics about the “unlimited marital deduction” and how it influences what one spouse receives from another. Tax-Free Transfers The unlimited marital deduction enables a spouse to transfer unlimited assets to another tax-free. You derive this deduction by subtracting the total amount of assets from the gross estate, which must be distributed according to a will. Estate taxes on transferred assets are delayed until the recipient spouse’s death. The spouses must be legally married U.S. citizens to qualify for this deduction.
Trust that will still provide for the surviving spouse but outline beneficiaries upon their death. Because this trust is irrevocable, it can't be altered by anyone, including the surviving spouse. Citizenship Exceptions Although establishing the unlimited marital deduction is straightforward for American citizens, pursuing similar options for non-citizen spouses is more complex but not impossible. First, a U.S. citizen can gift money to their non-U.S. citizen spouse. In 2024, the maximum amount not subject to gift taxes was $185,000. Another option would be to establish a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT), which allows the non-citizen spouse to take advantage of the unlimited marital deduction so long as they are the sole beneficiary and at least one trustee is a U.S. citizen or an American corporation. Naturally, the conditions outlined in this brief overview are subject to a host of what-ifs that may affect the specific
Safeguarding a Sustained Legacy If an individual wishes to have a say in what happens to their assets after their surviving spouse passes, they can set up an irrevocable Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP)
outcome of your situation. Working with skilled financial planners familiar with these nuances is essential to secure your spouse’s well-being and satisfy tax obligations when the time comes to implement your estate plan.
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2 • www.RobinetteLaw.com
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