FROM THE ATTORNEY'S PEN

by Judith Lee Sterling

Happy New Year from the all of us at Sterling and Tucker. We wish you and your loved ones all a very healthy and prosperous 2006.

Now is the time of year for fresh starts and to take important actions that you have been putting off. If you are like me, there are things that I know I should be doing and I push them to the back of my mind. With the New Year, as I reflect of the past year, and what is left undone, I consider what I really should do that I have put on the “back burner” and take action. Currently I am reviewing my entire personal investment portfolio with Dexter Aoki. Chief Investment Officer of Sterling and Tucker Financial Services, LLC.

Are you in control of your finances and understand your investments? For those of you who are working, are you planning for a time when you will be financially independent, that is, have the luxury of continuing to work only if you want to do so? For those of you who are not working, will your assets last as long as you do? Will you leave the legacy that you want to leave? January and February are great months to review your estate planning and financial planning, do last minute tax planning and get a head start on income tax preparation.

Soon year end statements from banks and brokerage houses will be arriving, and you will be gathering information for the annual rite of spring- income tax return filing. As these statements come in, compile them in a folder and this will provide you with the financial information to bring to a planning meeting as well as consolidate in one place documentation needed for tax preparation.

Laws change–see the article in this newsletter on the Medicaid system- financial and family situations change, and the best of plans can become out dated.

Ask yourself, how long has it been since you had your trust and/or will plan reviewed? If the plan is over three years old or you know that you need to make changes, come in for a review meeting with an attorney at Sterling & Tucker. Currently, we are offering clients review meetings at no charge. Take advantage of this generous offer.

Since it is easy to procrastinate, I recommend that you set your appointment immediately with a Sterling & Tucker attorney for a review of your estate planning, or with a Sterling & Tucker financial professional for a review of your financial planning. If tax planning or tax preparation is a priority, meet with a Sterling & Tucker CPA. Call Allen at 531-5391 ext. 356 to meet with a Sterling & Tucker attorney or CPA, or call Jennifer at 531-5391 ext.351 to meet with a financial services professional. Once you set the date on the calendar, you will have made a commitment to yourself to follow through with the review.

All of us at Sterling & Tucker want your planning with us to work, and it will work best if it is kept up to date.

Have a wonderful 2006 with the peace of mind of knowing that all your planning—estate, financial and tax—is in order.