Insights offers Regions Private Wealth Management's perspective on current economic issues, wealth strategies, your business, retirement and planning tactics. Download Insights Magazine Summer 2014 Issue.

Make Your Legacy Count

Safeguarding Your Family's Future

Conversations around what happens to your wealth after you pass away are often difficult ones — and understandably. They can be emotional and involve topics that many people prefer not to think about, much less talk about.

As challenging as such conversations may be, however, they shouldn't be avoided. Estate planning is one of the most crucial things you can do to safeguard your family's wealth over the long term. It can reduce the tax consequences of the estate transfer while also ensuring your legacy is preserved.

This issue of Insights provides a comprehensive look at how individuals and families can better prepare for passing along their wealth. Our cover story ("Make Your Legacy Count," page 8) explains how to make stronger, more effective estate plans. It lays out key strategies that may reduce your gift and estate taxes while also providing you greater flexibility and control over what happens to your wealth in the future.

In Regions' Perspective ("Empowering the Next Generation," page 13), we look at how a Regions Wealth Advisor can help today's 20- and 30-somethings manage their current financial goals while also grooming them to take on a greater role in managing the family's assets — whether that wealth transfer happens in the near or distant future. Legacy ("Sharing Values," page 16) offers tips for how parents and grandparents can instill financial responsibility and other values in younger family members.

Preparing the next generation can't be taken too lightly: Research from Boston College's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy suggests that more than $41 trillion will transfer hands between 1998 and 2052. This is a tremendous opportunity for affluent families to ensure their wealth is preserved.

Remember, it's never too soon to start planning for the future.

Wealth Intelligence - Should You Pay for Concierge Medical Care?

More doctors are moving toward a "concierge" model; how to protect your debit and credit cards against fraud; a side-by-side comparison of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and tips for finding the right private rental for your next vacation. p4

C-Suite - A Fresh Start

We look at tips for making a winning impression in the first days of a new executive job. p7

Cover Story - Make Your Legacy Count

Estate planning plans helps ensure your wealth gets distributed as you wish after you pass away and can protect your family from hefty federal and state estate-tax bills. We lay out best practices for creating an effective and lasting plan. p8

Regions' Perspective - Empowering the Next Generation

Regions Wealth Advisors can help today's 20- and 30-somethings manage their financial concerns today, as well as help them establish a long-term wealth management plan. p13

Your Business - Don't Wing It

So-called angel investing has gotten easier thanks to new federal rules, but it's still risky. We provide tips for how to do it wisely. p14

Legacy - Sharing Values

Many parents and grandparents want to instill their financial values and other lessons about money management in younger family members. We provide tips for how to do so effectively. p16