Author Archive
Business Breakups Needn’t Be Difficult
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
June 4, 2010 in Sentinel
Business partnerships, like marriages, can end in “divorce.” Whether you exit with an equitable share of the business and intact relationships with your partners depends on proper planning. Suppose you and your close friend establish a niche service business as equal owners. You provide the capital to get the company off the ground, while your partner [...]
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June 4, 2010 in Sentinel
Business partnerships, like marriages, can end in “divorce.” Whether you exit with an equitable share of the business and intact relationships with your partners depends on proper planning. Suppose you and your close friend establish a niche service business as equal owners. You provide the capital to get the company off the ground, while your partner [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Other
Fixing That ‘Irrevocable’ Trust
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
June 15, 2009 in Sentinel
By definition, when something is irrevocable, it cannot be altered — unless you are talking about trusts. An irrevocable trust can be a very effective wealth-transfer vehicle. The assets used to fund the trust, as well as any appreciation they generate, escape estate tax upon the death of the settlor, or person establishing the trust. The [...]
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June 15, 2009 in Sentinel
By definition, when something is irrevocable, it cannot be altered — unless you are talking about trusts. An irrevocable trust can be a very effective wealth-transfer vehicle. The assets used to fund the trust, as well as any appreciation they generate, escape estate tax upon the death of the settlor, or person establishing the trust. The [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Personal Financial Planning
Obama’s New Deal for Blacks in America
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA and ReKeithen Miller
October 2, 2008 in Sentinel
Barack Obama’s overwhelming support among African-Americans may seem like an exercise in blind faith or racial pride, but policy, not skin color, is driving this enthusiasm. Obama’s campaign positions speak directly to the everyday issues that low- and middle-income African-Americans face. His initiatives address their personal difficulties with poverty, unemployment, crime, credit and the effects on [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
October 2, 2008 in Sentinel
Barack Obama’s overwhelming support among African-Americans may seem like an exercise in blind faith or racial pride, but policy, not skin color, is driving this enthusiasm. Obama’s campaign positions speak directly to the everyday issues that low- and middle-income African-Americans face. His initiatives address their personal difficulties with poverty, unemployment, crime, credit and the effects on [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Other
Florida’s Property Insurance By Fiat
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
October 2, 2007 in Sentinel
Should state government subsidize property insurance costs for homes most likely to sustain damage from a natural disaster? Florida Gov. Charlie Crist thinks so. Since Hurricane Wilma blew through Florida in October 2005, property insurance costs have more than doubled for [...]
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October 2, 2007 in Sentinel
Should state government subsidize property insurance costs for homes most likely to sustain damage from a natural disaster? Florida Gov. Charlie Crist thinks so. Since Hurricane Wilma blew through Florida in October 2005, property insurance costs have more than doubled for [...]
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Tags: Personal Financial Planning
Welcome, Stranger: Florida Greets Newcomers With Higher Taxes
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
April 1, 2007 in Sentinel
Although Florida is considered a tax-friendly state, new residents won’t feel so welcome when they receive their first property tax assessments. About 1,000 people move to Florida each day, according to state statistics. With warm temperatures year-round and no state income, estate or inheritance taxes, it’s easy to see why so many are attracted to the [...]
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April 1, 2007 in Sentinel
Although Florida is considered a tax-friendly state, new residents won’t feel so welcome when they receive their first property tax assessments. About 1,000 people move to Florida each day, according to state statistics. With warm temperatures year-round and no state income, estate or inheritance taxes, it’s easy to see why so many are attracted to the [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Tax Issues
How To Lease Commercial Real Estate
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
April 1, 2006 in Sentinel
Identifying and leasing the most appropriate space to house your business can be arduous and time-consuming. Where should you begin? In June 2005, Palisades Hudson signed a five-year lease to occupy 1,494 square feet of commercial office space in downtown Fort Lauderdale, [...]
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April 1, 2006 in Sentinel
Identifying and leasing the most appropriate space to house your business can be arduous and time-consuming. Where should you begin? In June 2005, Palisades Hudson signed a five-year lease to occupy 1,494 square feet of commercial office space in downtown Fort Lauderdale, [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Investment
Lessons From Hurricane Wilma
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
January 2, 2006 in Sentinel
Click on image to enlarge. Hurricane Wilma battered facades and windows of older office towers in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Because the storm approached the city from the west and passed to the north, western exposures of the Templeton Building (left rear) and One Financial Plaza (right) suffered some of the heaviest damage. After experiencing the busy [...]
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January 2, 2006 in Sentinel
Click on image to enlarge. Hurricane Wilma battered facades and windows of older office towers in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Because the storm approached the city from the west and passed to the north, western exposures of the Templeton Building (left rear) and One Financial Plaza (right) suffered some of the heaviest damage. After experiencing the busy [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Personal Financial Planning
Shortfall Threatens Long-Term Tsunami Relief
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
April 1, 2005 in Sentinel
More than two months have passed since the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. The number of people confirmed dead, or missing and presumed dead, stands at 290,713 and is expected to rise. Immense international support has seen to it that victims in many of the accessible regions have basic necessities such as food, clothing, medical supplies [...]
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April 1, 2005 in Sentinel
More than two months have passed since the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. The number of people confirmed dead, or missing and presumed dead, stands at 290,713 and is expected to rise. Immense international support has seen to it that victims in many of the accessible regions have basic necessities such as food, clothing, medical supplies [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Charitably Speaking
Art In Motion: Reaching Children Where They Live
By Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA
October 1, 2004 in Sentinel
Many public elementary and secondary school students returned to classes this year to find them a little less colorful — art had been eliminated. Over the last few years, budget cuts have forced officials to remove arts programs from school curriculums. While many charities have been created to fill the void, few are as unique [...]
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October 1, 2004 in Sentinel
Many public elementary and secondary school students returned to classes this year to find them a little less colorful — art had been eliminated. Over the last few years, budget cuts have forced officials to remove arts programs from school curriculums. While many charities have been created to fill the void, few are as unique [...]
To read the complete article,click here.
Tags: Charitably Speaking
Barring The Doors To Minorities
October 29, 2009 in Current Commentary
Regis Murayi, 21, spent weeks organizing his college’s senior class trip to Chicago. As class treasurer, he talked to representatives of the Original Mother’s bar to negotiate a $25 per person all-you-can-drink package for the group. But, when the big night came, Murayi was not allowed into the bar. Of the approximately 200 students from Washington [...]
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Tags: Discrimination, Dress Codes, Original Mother’s Bar, Regis Murayi, Stop-And-Frisk, Washington University in St. Louis