Many people wish to set their estate plans in stone once they're created. But a wide variety of circumstances can affect the plan before it's put into action. This article discusses the savvy strategy of stress testing an estate plan to assess its effectiveness under different scenarios.

An estate plan isn't a static document. As the years roll on after you initially draft your plan, it's important to review it periodically and update it as needed. The primary reason for updates is experiencing major life changes in your family, such as marriage, divorce, remarriage or birth of a child. Updates also may be needed due to tax law changes. This article poses some questions to consider as you review and revise your estate plan.

Tax credits are far more valuable than tax deductions. Unlike a deduction, which reduces a business's taxable income, a credit reduces the business's tax liability dollar for dollar. Credits aren't unlimited, however. For businesses, the aggregate value of tax credits may be limited by the general business credit. This article explains how it works and lists specific credits it includes.

Can you deduct the cost of a facelift? How about "Lasik" eye surgery or the cleaning solution for contact lenses? Some of the procedures that pass muster with the IRS may surprise you. Take a look at a chart with eligible and not-eligible medical expenses. There are some unusual qualified expenses that might allow you to get a tax break.