Estate planning professionals have long used intentionally defective grantor trustsas a means of reducing estate taxes and preserving assets. However, President Obama's proposed 2013 budget would eliminate the savings that IDGTs offer. People should be aware of the potential changes to tax laws and how they could affect IDGTs. What Is an IDGT? An IDGT is a trust that takes advantage of the split between the income tax laws and the tax rules governing gifts or money transfers. These trusts are a means of freezing the appreciation of assets for the purposes of calculating ...

Like other places in Georgia car accidents caused by cellphone use behind the wheel is an issue in Macon and Bibb County. Distracted driving kills more than 5,000 people per year across the United States according to a new study by The CQ Reporter. In 2009 alone over 5,400 people were killed and 448,000 people were injured by distracted drivers. Teen drivers have an even higher risk of accident when they practice distracted driving activities. In fact, 16 percent of distracted driving deaths involve teen drivers, and a significant number of those deaths are caused by cell ...

The number of people receiving Social Security disability benefits is on the rise. It has almost tripled since 1980, when there were about 2.8 million workers and 1.8 million dependents receiving Social Security disability insurance payments. By 2010, this number rose to 8.2 million workers and 2.1 million dependents, reports Reuters news. Social Security disability benefits may be awarded to people who are unable to work because of a disability. However, they are not awarded to people simply because they are unable to find work. Relationship Between SSDI and Unemployment In ...

Authorities across the U.S. are cracking down on drinking and driving. Kansas is no exception to the trend. State lawmakers passed a new law targeting those with multiple driving under the influence convictions who refuse to take chemical tests. Kansas drivers should know about the changes to the law and the potential penalties they face for violating it. Changes to DUI Law Kansas will now be one of a few states where it is a criminal offense for a driver who has a prior DUI conviction to refuse a chemical test when pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. A common ...

On June 14, 2012, the California Senate approved AB 2127, a bill that would change the state's work release program. Under the changes the bill proposes, people convicted of low-level misdemeanors such as DUI offenseswould have a greater opportunity to prepare for life after incarceration with new programs to be offered that would count as alternatives to actual custody, or in addition thereto. The Assembly already passed a version of the bill, and now the bill returns to the Assembly for approval of the Senate amendments. Current Work Release Law California law already ...

In June 2012, a California Highway Patrol officer appeared for her preliminary hearing on felony DUI charges, one of the many court appearances she will face in relation to the charges. The 17-year CHP veteran was arrested after being involved in an auto accident where others suffered injuries. If convicted, the woman faces severe penalties. Four-Car Wreck The officer's DUI charges stem from an accident on January 14, 2012. The officer was off duty, driving on South Bonnyview Avenue in Redding, California, and police allege that she caused a four-car wreck because ...

Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production is excited to announce that the feature film Portion has been awarded the Grand Prize at the 18th Annual San Antonio Film Festival. The film stars Bruno Bichir who also won the Santikos award at the festival for his outstanding performance as leading actor. Portion tells the story of Mexican illegal immigrant Luis (Bruno Bichir) who is faced with a tough choice when his mother—who lives in Mexico—falls gravely ill right before his final immigration interview. Luis is torn between risking a border crossing to care for his ailing mother, ...

BlueGrace Logistics, the nation's most progressive logistics, transportation and technology provider, has recently announced a newly designed website at http://www.myBlueGrace.com. The new site is launching Saturday, August 4, 2012, and is now streamlined with a direct approach, allowing customers access to new and improved features. The new website offers quick and easy access to the cutting edge technology of the company's transportation management system, BlueShip . Recently listed in Inbound Logistics' TMS Buyer's Guide 2012, this easy-to-use platform offers clients ...

Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP (www.bellnunnally.com) attorney Nicole M. Eason has been selected by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) to participate in its 2012 Leadership Program. DAYL Leadership Program members are selected from a pool of young attorney applicants throughout the Dallas area who have expressed an interest in making a difference in the community and a desire to become more active with the bar. Each year, approximately 40 attorneys are accepted. Members of the Leadership Program participate in a series of informational meetings where they ...

General contractors call the shots in most construction projects, taking the lead in all important operations including coordinating subcontractors, supervising job sites, and many other responsibilities to ensure projects stay on time and within budget. The many risks involved with leading these projects makes California contractors insurance essential to protect the business against losses that may result from a lawsuit. One of the common misconceptions of contractors insurance is that it only applies to general contractors. But subcontractors such as carpenters, roofers, ...

"Over the last couple years, words like ascension are being causally tossed around, without an understanding of the underlying meaning," states McCall. Her free seminar aims to sweep away the confusion and highlight the connection between the planetary and personal ascension process. "I'm hearing a lot of the same questions from clients: 'Why is my energy low? Why do I feel different? Why is so much of my old life (friends, relationships, emotional issues) changing so rapidly?' For many, the answers can be found within the 2012 ascension process," ...

The Foundmoney´s Cash Giveaway is back by popular demand. The recent monthly winner in the Cash Giveaway is Larry P., from Brooklyn New York. According to Edward Palonek, who is the founder of Foundmoney.com, the website that specializes in helping citizens locating unclaimed money that may belong to them, the only thing that someone has to do, to win the company´s $100 monthly cash giveaway, is enter their name and contact details. A winner is then picked each month. There are over 75 cash winners listed at the site thus far. Foundmoney has been running this giveaway ...

McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, the maker of SPLENDA Sweeteners, announces the launch of NECTRESSE Natural No Calorie Sweetener (pronounced NECK-TRESS). It is the only 100 percent natural, zero calorie per serving sweetener made from the goodness of real fruit - monk fruit extract - available at stores nationwide. The new sweetener derives its natural sweetness from monk fruit, a small green melon that has been cultivated in Asia for hundreds of years. Found on lush vines in remote mountain regions, monk fruit is traditionally grown in small family orchards. Today, McNeil ...

Garia, a young and innovative company from Denmark and the manufacturer of the Garia luxury golf and leisure car, has entered into an exciting new partnership with professional golfer Paula Creamer. With the Garia's unique combination of performance, quality and elegance it is a perfect match for the talented and inspiring Creamer. "The Garia is amazing. I love it! It looks and feels great with some serious get up and go - what a beauty! It's a fun ride and something that really works for me!" says Paula. "At Garia, we feel our cars truly complement ...

Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and established business owners seeking to do business with corporations and government agencies should attend, "Teaming for Contracts," a regional workshop presented by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC). The event will be held on Thursday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., in Milwaukee. Host sponsor is Harley-Davidson. Teaming for Contracts is designed for women-owned businesses in all industries who seek to grow their business and expand their capacity through ...

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce an expansion of its successful Pets in the Classroom program through partnerships with pet supply retailer Pet Supermarket and science and math education supplier Carolina Biological Supply. The new partnerships will provide elementary school teachers with six different grant options to aid in funding a classroom pet, allowing teachers to find the option most suitable to his or her needs. "We are delighted to have the support of a growing number of pet product companies that understand the importance of teaching kids about ...

Tech4Learning's Wixie is now available in the Apple App store for the iPad. The new Wixie app takes advantage of the iPad's touch interface, while connecting to storage, classroom management, portfolio, and assessment tools in the cloud. Wixie is an authoring tool students can use to paint pictures, write stories, and record their voice to explore the curriculum and demonstrate mastery. Projects are automatically stored in the cloud, making it easy to distribute a URL and passkey for to share Wixie projects with family and the community. "We are working to make ...

Whether you need to merge, converge or simply Guide, Safe Conveyor Inc. , is now manufacturing adjustable guide rails for their modular plastic belt conveyor systems. These simple and easy to adjust guide rails feature a unique streamlined design that provides quick and accurate adjustments without obtrusive bars protruding from the conveyor. The new product features a pivot joining system that reduces the number of support arms while providing smooth transitions from rail to rail. Optional wider guide surfaces easily attach to the "T" slotted guide rails ...

Raleigh's premier Modern Mexican restaurant, Jibarra, announces the appointment of a new executive Chef, Oscar Diaz. With years of kitchen experience under his belt, Diaz brings a new flavor to Jibarra's cuisine. Chef Oscar's flair for introducing Latin flavors and ingredients into otherwise untraditional Latin dishes makes his style an exciting addition to the greater Triangle's cuisine landscape. Featuring locally grown produce and fresh ingredients, Chef Oscar has reinvented dining at Jibarra. "We're thrilled about the new menu and the buzz it is creating. ...

Sonorous Entertainment Inc. - Barbados native and Christian recording artist Hoszia Hinds has recently wrapped up filming on the video for his newly remixed and re-mastered single "Can't Live Without You". The video was shot on location in Hamilton, Ontario and features some of the city's historical landmarks. Both the single and video are set to be released through Sonorous Entertainment in early August. "Can't Live Without You" was recently nominated for Best Reggae Song by En Sound Music Awards, the world's most recognized Indie Gospel Music Award ...

Brillare Hairdressing Academy is offering special back to school discounts on select services and products when clients bring in a children's book for "Operation School Bell ", a program of the Assistance League of Phoenix. The Academies will be accepting donations of new and gently used children's books in their retail areas throughout the month of August. In exchange for clients' generosity, children haircuts (ages 5-18) will be half off. Regularly $12, kid's haircuts are even more fun now at Brillare Academy with brightly colored smocks, new booster seats, ...

Cactus Technologies, Limited launched the new 803 Series of Industrial Grade microSD cards with capacities of 1 and 2GB. The 803 Series microSD cards offer long life cycles, firm BOM control, and based on SLC NAND memory. Sai-Ying Ng, President of Cactus Technologies Ltd. said, "We've had many requests from our Industrial OEM customers for Industrial Grade microSD cards. With our new manufacturing capabilities, we are producing Industrial Grade microSD cards at both 1 and 2GB to meet these requirements." The new Cactus Technologies 803 Series Industrial ...

Vintage Simi Hills of Vintage Senior Living, a family of vibrant retirement communities, today announced that employee Ian Gadea has been named an ALFA Champion by the Assisted Living Federation of America, a national organization serving the senior living field. Gadea was recognized for outstanding service to residents and an unwavering commitment to supporting quality of life for seniors and their families. "Recognition as an ALFA Champion is a special honor and we are grateful that Ian has been part of the Vintage Simi Hills family for more than a year," ...

BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, and recognized among the franchise elite in Entrepreneur magazine's prominent "Franchise 500," announced today its preferred vendor partnership with Anytime Fitness, the world's largest and fastest growing 24-hour, co-ed fitness franchise. In an effort to bring its quality services to Anytime Fitness franchisees, Bookkeeping Express will have the opportunity to provide bookkeeping services, along with real time reporting so franchisees can make better business decisions when ...

Employee engagement initiatives may be commonplace but often fall short of delivering a measurable impact on the business, according to global consultants BlessingWhite. "We encounter a lot of leaders who, when asked, 'Are you doing anything about employee engagement?' say, 'Yes, we run an annual survey'," says Joan Dasher, vice president of BlessingWhite's engagement practice. "But the survey is only a measurement tool. Organizations need to act on insights and focus on creating a culture of engagement to increase the engagement levels of their people. ...