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Can I make the seller sign a noncompetition agreement?       Why does the buyer of my business want me to sign a noncompetition agreement?     Partnerships       How does a limited partnership work?     Starting a business       How do I find good advisors such as lawyers and accountants to help with my business?       Is buying a franchise a good way to get into business?       Should I buy an existing business or start from scratch?       Should I buy or lease assets for my business?       What are the stages of business development?       What should I look for in a business location?     Valuing a business       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?   Estate Planning   Articles     Estate planning basics       Estate planning--an introduction       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Gift and estate taxes       Trust basics       Wills--the cornerstone of your estate plan     Probate       Bypassing probate       Understanding probate   Decision Tools     Business planning       Choosing a business entity       How entity purchase plans work     Estate planning basics       Common incapacity documents       Estate shrinkage       Federal estate tax estimator       Steps to estate planning success     Trusts       Advantages of trusts       How a grantor retained income trust (GRIT) works       How an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) works       How an irrevocable trust protects assets   FAQs     Life insurance and estate planning       Are life insurance proceeds income taxable?       The death benefit from insurance on my life will be paid to an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT). What if those funds are needed to pay my estate taxes?       What is a life insurance trust and why should I consider establishing one?     Trusts       What is a Crummey power?       What is a life insurance trust and why should I consider establishing one?       What is a living trust?     Wills       Can I disinherit relatives I don't like?       Can I transfer my business through my will?       Do I have to accept a bequest I don't want?       Do I need an attorney to prepare my will?       How will estate taxes be paid if I leave no provision in my will?       I want my son to have my valuable collection of baseball cards when I die. 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But are the 529 assets subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?     Social Security       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       How do I get disability benefits from Social Security?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What is SSI?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?   Investment Planning   Articles     Choosing investment vehicles       Annuity basics       Creating an investment portfolio       Investing in bonds       Investing in stocks       Mutual fund basics       The best ways to save for college       Understanding mutual fund share classes     Investment basics       Investment planning--the basics       Six keys to successful investing       Understanding investment terms and concepts       Understanding risk     Investment goals       Asset Allocation       Common investment goals       Retirement planning--the basics   Decision Tools     Creating an investment portfolio       Asset allocation pie chart illustrator       Building an investment portfolio       College funding options analyzer       Common types of mutual funds       Exchange traded funds and mutual funds compared       Major asset classes     Investment planning basics       Common investment mistakes to avoid       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Simple rules for investing       Steps to financial planning success   Personal Finance   FAQs     Buying, selling, or leasing a car       How much will my monthly car payment be?       Is there any way to get out of a car lease?       Should I buy or lease a car?       Should I pay cash for a car or finance it?   Special Situations   Articles     Planning for travel       Health insurance for travelers       Rental car insurance       Travel insurance   FAQs     Planning for travel       Do I have to pay U.S. taxes when I work abroad?       Does my auto insurance policy cover me on car trips outside the United States?       I'm going on a cruise. Do I need trip interruption insurance?       I'm planning on living in Europe for several months. Do I need special health insurance?       Should I buy travel insurance?   Tax Planning   Articles     General tax planning       Am I having enough withheld?       Choosing an income tax filing status       Help! 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What can I do?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       I received a state tax refund last year. Must I include that amount as income on my federal return this year?       My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?       What is my tax bracket?       What is the alternative minimum tax?       What is the basis of property received as a gift?       What is the kiddie tax?       What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?     Tax credits       Can I take the credit for the elderly or disabled?       Can I take the tax credit for child care?       Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits?       What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?       What is the child tax credit?       What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?       What is the earned income credit and who qualifies for it?     Tax deductions       Can I deduct home office expenses?       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I deduct and substantiate my gambling losses?       I paid my mother's real estate taxes last year. Can I deduct this on my tax return?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?       If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?       Is student loan interest deductible?       My spouse and I are filing separate returns. Can we both itemize our deductions? If so, how do we split the deductions?       My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and child support/alimony       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?     Taxes and home ownership       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show this rental income on my federal income tax return?       If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?       My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and insurance proceeds       Are life insurance proceeds income taxable?       I receive disability insurance payments. Are they taxable?