Best Practices in Handling Terminations
By Travis Dommert, The Lindquist Group

Are you prepared for an employee departure? "We've decided to let you go," or "I quit" is just the beginning of the termination process, one that can be rocky and laden with risks if you are not adequately prepared.

The average domestic employee changes jobs every two years. While we are working closely with our clients to improve that statistic, most domestic employers will at some point have to deal with the termination of an employee. Even when it is expected, transitions can be difficult and create disruption in the operation of your home and life.  Here are 8 tips for making separations as smooth as possible.

Buyer Beware: Art and Collecting in a Global Economy
By James P. Kane, CIC, President of HUB International Personal Insurance
 
Fueled by the rapid expansion of global wealth, the market for fine art and collectibles continues to climb – along with prices. The recent explosion of interest in the art and collections market creates new threats and complex challenges. This paper provides an overview of the changing state of the global collections market, describes the emerging risks, and offers advice on what the savvy collector can do to manage and reduce these increased risks.

Security: Because the Markets Aren't Your Only Risk
Featuring Paul Viollis, Ph.D., CEO of Risk Control Strategies
 
As the nation’s financial crisis makes headlines, many of your family’s more clear and present dangers may be flying under the radar. Wealth brings considerable attention and security exposure to families across the globe, and many take appropriate counter measures only after costly, disruptive, or embarrassing events unfold.

According to security expert Dr. Paul Viollis, CEO of Risk Control Strategies, a threat management and security consulting firm, “A lot of high net worth families are led to believe that security is a function of how much they spend. Quite to the contrary, true security is a function of putting countermeasures in place that specifically address the types of threats a family faces.” Dr. Viollis goes on to explain that some appropriate measures come at little or no cost, but families are often sold expensive equipment or monitoring services based on fear tactics.

Protecting How and Where We Live Through Trusts.
By A. Kel Long, III, Estate Planning Attorney

Affluent clients often express a strong desire to remain in their home regardless of advanced age or a decline in health.  However, given the significant cost of private staff to maintain a home and provide in-home care (which may range from $50,000 to well over $500,000 per year), that desire is often at odds with their children's interest in protecting their inheritance. For clients who are intent on remaining home for as long as medically feasible, a properly drafted trust may provide the solution.

Put it in Writing: The Value of Employment Agreements
By Robert E. King, Esq., Founder, Legally Nanny®

You’ve just hired your nanny or other household employee. You’re thrilled, she’s thrilled, and you’re in the employer-employee version of a honeymoon. You can’t imagine that anything will ever go wrong.  While in most cases, fortunately, that’s true, in other cases things can get contentious if your understanding of the details of your arrangement is somehow different than your employee’s understanding of them.