G ifts T hat G row With the end of the year right around the corner, many of us are thinking about wrapping presents, setting new resolutions for the future, and supporting the people
Give the gift of education. If your child or another family member is college-bound, you can contribute to their education in several ways. Under the same gift tax exclusion, you can make direct payments to their educational institution to help cover their tuition. You can’t pay this money to the students, and it won’t go toward books, boarding, or other school expenses. Similarly, you can make direct payments to a medical provider to help cover the cost of a loved one’s health care. Establish a trust. Trusts are a beneficial way to transfer assets to someone. Unlike a traditional gift, which gives little control over what happens to the assets once they are gone, an irrevocable trust gives you some power over how they are distributed and used. They can help you avoid probate and protect valuable assets from creditors. There are different types of trusts; you can even establish one to support a charity you care about. With thoughtful planning, your year-end gifts can create a lasting impact on your loved ones and your legacy. Contact The Manely Firm to craft an estate strategy that protects your family and maximizes your gifting potential. MAXIMIZE YOUR ANNUAL GIFT TAX EXCLUSION BEFORE YEAR-END
or causes we love. Did you know your estate plan holds the key to doing all three? By using the right strategies to gift assets, you can give a meaningful gift, work toward your financial goals, protect your family, and potentially reduce your tax burden. From helping to pay for college tuition to
maximizing tax exclusions, here’s how to turn your generosity into a legacy that lasts before the calendar flips. Maximize the annual gift tax exclusion. Every year, you can gift money to individuals up to a certain dollar amount without triggering a gift tax or counting against your lifetime gift tax exemption. In 2025 and 2026, you can give up to $19,000 per recipient without reporting it to the IRS. You can double your impact as a married couple by combining your annual exclusions to gift $38,000. You can give this amount to as many recipients as you wish.
Mindfulness Tips for Children in Transition M aking S pirits B right , E ven T hrough D ivorce
For kids navigating a divorce, the usual sparkle of the holidays can stir up big emotions, such as excitement, worry, and perhaps a little sadness. Instead of just hoping things will all work out, you can give your children the tools they need to recognize and express their feelings, and have a little agency and choice in a situation where they may feel they have very little control. From low-pressure emotional check- ins to simple mindfulness exercises, you can help bring them comfort so they can Divorce changes the dynamics and expected routines of the holidays, which can cause stress, a feeling of being torn between both parents, and mood swings for kids. No matter how busy the celebrations get, take time for emotional check-ins with your children. Help them identify their feelings and find positive ways to express them. If they are having difficulty sharing, you can do activities that feel fun and safe to help them open up. Prompt them to draw something, help them write a card or journal entry, play games, or even use puppets to act out their feelings. Merry Mindfulness enjoy all the magic moments. Emotional Check-ins Mindfulness activities can help your children handle the holiday stress of two households. Try sensory-based techniques, such as the five things exercise, to help
them become more present. Ask them to notice five things they see, hear, or feel, and teach them that they can do this anytime they feel afraid or nervous. A few other ideas: Practice taking 10 deep breaths together, ask them to identify experiences through their five senses, or build a simple routine of taking short walks each morning leading up to the holiday. Getting grounded through stress-easing habits may help children feel safe, calm, and more in control. Age-Appropriate Agency Divorce can leave children feeling like they have no say or choice in the matter. Providing them with opportunities to make small decisions and choices about the holiday can give them a sense of control and stability. Assign them age-appropriate tasks to choose from, such as what to decorate first or which holiday movie to have on in the background. Let them have some say in what traditions they want to celebrate, or have them each choose a holiday recipe to try. If you want more tips and resources to support your children through family transitions, visit AllFamilyLaw.com to explore our resources.
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