The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 59

MARKETSMONEYPERSONAL FINANCE SECTION SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 1994 floe Angeles Stones Toronto Film Company Gets 'Southern Exposure' HIGHLIGHTS INEVITABLE COSTS: Wills, probate, funerals and estate planning are subjects most Americans prefer to avoid. But a little preparation can save loved ones grief and expense when you die. Dl CANADIAN PRODUCTION: Canada's Alliance Communications will debut its "Due South" series on CBS this week, the first prime time Canadian production to appear on a U.S. television network. Dl 1P5 "Due South" was cooked up by former CBS Entertainment President Jeff Sagansky and Robert Lantos, chairman of Canada's largest film production and distribution company, Alliance Communications.

The program is a landmark here, not only for Alliance, but also for the entire Canadian film industry. When "Due South" debuts Thursday it will be the first Canadian-pro-' duced series to appear on an American network in prime time. "Selling a prime-time television series to a U.S. network has pretty well been the exclusive domain of a relatively small number of companies, all of which are Los Angeles-based," Lantos said in a recent interview. "Reaching that point for Alliance was something that has been under way a long time." But it is only part of a rising American profile for Alliance, a Toronto-based diversified entertainment company founded by Lantos in 1985.

The company, which went public a year ago, has three more series and 10 movies-of-the-week in development or production at American networks and cable channels, said Michael Weisbarth, senior vice president for television at the company's Beverly Hills office. (Alliance also has offices in Montreal, Vancouver, Paris and Shannon, Ireland.) The company just wrapped up four television movies Please see CANADA, D3 Entertainment: Debuting Thursday, "Due South" will be the first Canadian-produced series to appear on an American television network in prime time. By CRAIG TURNER TIMES STAFF WRITER TORONTO The cast of the new CBS action-comedy series "Due South" perches precariously in a canoe floating, incongruously, in a set built to represent a Chicago sewer tunnel. Series co-star Paul Gross and guest star Leslie Nielsen are suited up in the red-jacketed ceremonial uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted other series co-star, David Marciaho, sits in mid-canoe, playing a brash, sarcastic Chicago cop. In the dialogue of the scene, Marciano's character worries about rats in the water, while Gross' frets about scuffing the borrowed boat on the sewer wall.

Here, in 15 seconds, is the central joke in "Due South" the cultural collision of the naive, ramrod-straight Mountie from the Far North with the gritty American urban-scape. Actors Leslie Nielsen, left, Paul Gross and David Marci-ano in "Due South," a Canadian-produced comedy that debuts Thursday on CBS, contrasting a crisp, naive Mountie and a rumpled, wise-cracking Chicago cop. YOUR MONEY INSIGHT TTK" 11 TTv 1D ive weii iiie rrcoaiea JAMES FLANIGAN: Why is smart money eager to buy TV networks? Because, surprise, they may be technology's darlings. But nothing is simple: smart money is also selling networks. Dl BUSINESS PULSE: Americans don't think the economy is as healthy as statistics suggest, writes Times Poll Director John Brennan, That and doubts about presidential character are driving down President Clinton's popularity ratings.

D2 DEALS: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is buying Borden to cream off big fees and help restore its curdled reputation on Wall Street, Allan Sloan says. D2 A Wfiere There a 'nyone with heirs or assets needs a will. But only some people will benefit from hiring an attorney at a -Tcost ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars to write one. Whether you need help depends largely on your age, assets and family situation. This short quiz can help you decide.

1. My total assets, Including cash, life Insurance, securities, equity In real estate and personal effects, amount to a) less than b) between $100,000 and c) more than $600,000 2. My family, to which I plan to leave the bulk of my estate, consists of a) my spouse and our kids; b) my current spouse and my kids from both marriages; c) my spouse, former spouse(s), stepchildren, adopted children, foster children, nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren from several marriages 3. I'd like my will to a) pass my assets to my family and appoint appropriate guardians for my children; b) pass my assets to family, friends and charity and appoint guardians for my children; c) pass my assets to beneficiaries who will continue to do what I want them to after I'm gone 4. 1 have a family business: a) No; b) Not yet, but I plan to; c) Yes 5.

My assets are predominantly a) cash and liquid securities, such as exchange-listed stocks; b) mixed among stocks, bonds and residential real estate; c) real estate, minority Interests In partnerships, stocks, bonds and Investments In closely held companies 6. 1 hate the Idea of my heirs paying tax or probate fees on the money I leave them: a) No; b) It doesn't bother me as long as the fees and taxes aren't excessive; c) Yes; I'll spend what It takes to make sure they don't have to pay later 7. My heirs are a) responsible people who get along with one another and are likely to agree to my wishes; b) responsible adults and minor children whose ability to handle bequests hasn't been tested; c) flakes, Incapacitated or reasonable people who simply don't get along 8. I'd like to set up a trust that will distribute a) money to my children when they're olden money to charity; c) Income on some assets to my spouse and equity In those assets to charity or to children 9. 1 have used estate planning or asset-protection strategies with some assets: a) No; b) Not yet, but I may; c) Yes 10.

1 am uncertain about whether I can create a valid will using a will kit or form and would feel more comfortable If I hired a professional to do It for me: a) No; b) It wouldn't make me more comfortable, but my spouse would be considerably relieved; c) Yes SCORE: Give yourself 1 point for each answer, 3 points for each and 10 points for each Personal finance: It's inevitable, so here's our guide to estate planning, funerals and other life-and-deajh concerns. By KATHY M. KRISTOF Times staff writer Nobody likes to talk about death. But the Grim Reaper eventually comes for us all. And when he does, most people are unpreparedfinancially speaking, if no other way.

Only about three in 10 Americans have a will. Less than one in four have executed so-called "advance directives" that limit aggressive health treatments when the prognosis is terminal. And a far smaller number have moved to alleviate tax, probate or funeral costs. "We, as human beings, don't want to deal with our own mortality. So this is one of those things that people put off," says Melissa Burkholder, an attorney with the American Assn.

of Retired Persons in Washington. "The question is whether you are going to deal with it, or is somebody going to do it for you? And if somebody else does it, are they going to make the same decisions as you would have?" These are, of course, personal issues that cut to the heart of how you feel about your family and about maintaining control. But they are also financial issues of sweeping importance. What few people realize is that death is shockingly expensive. Funeral costs alone easily can amount to $6,000.

The cost of probate can wipe out a modest estate. Estate taxes can force the liquidation of a family-owned business or the sale of the family home. And dying "intestate" without a will can cause your assets to fall into the wrong hands. These are not issues solely for the elderly. Having a will and simple estate plan is pivotal for young parents, too; their heirs, after all, are more dependent on them than are the adult children of elderly couples.

The good news is that many of these Please see DEATH, D3 YOUR MONEY KEY: techniques. Be sure to pick carefully. Get referrals, then interview the candidates. The attorney should provide you with an estimate of costs and how long it will take to complete the job. You can also ask for an engagement letter that spells out in writing what you've agreed to.

-KATHY M. KRISTOF MUTUAL FUNDS: Plenty of investment advice is available to help you get to retirement. Columnist Russ Wiles takes a look at what fund portfolios are appropriate for people already in retirement. D6 MONEY TALK: A son's annual gift to his parents' brokerage account might yield a tax-free inheritance upon their deaths. But he can't completely count on his strategy paying off, says Carla Lazzareschi.

D5 PERSONAL FINANCE: Kathy Kristof's column does not appear today. Investment Derby, D5 10-18 points: You're a perfect candidate for a do-it-yourself will, but be sure to review your will after a few years, particularly if your assets, personal aims or family situation change. For now, you can check your local library for a listing of books that can help you prepare your will. Or, if you're technologically literate, consider a will-preparation software program such as WillMaker. Costs for the manuals and computer programs range from $15 to $70.

but a handful of others complex enough or a comfort level low enough to warrant an adviser. If you opt to write your will, consider having an attorney review it. If you're in this category primarily because your estate is worth more than $600,000, consider talking to a tax or estate planner. 60-100: Hire an attorney. You should expect to pay between a few hundred and $1,000 for a formal will, which may include a trust or two.

You'll pay more if you go in for complicated estate planning 1949: You've got some issues that are straightforward enough to handle easily with a computer program or kit ROB HERNANDEZ Los Angeles Times INDEX American Composite D9 Letters D2 Mutual Funds Dll Nasdaq D9 New York Composite D7 Pacific Stock Exchange D6 Career Opportunities, D13 TV Networks Evolve From Dinosaurs to Darlings JAMES FLANIGAN Line Has the future been postponed? It may seem like old times with television networks pulling in massive advertising dollars along with takeover feelers from Time Warner, Disney, Turner Broadcasting and ITT all of which are looking at a price tag of $5 billion and more for NBC. The new movie, "Quiz Show," looks back to the golden 1950s, when folks gathered round the family TV set. And many analysts today are looking in the same direction, saying there's nothing like a network NBC, CBS, ABC or Fox for delivering advertising to a mass market. Only yesterday, the same networks were regarded as dinosaurs in the age of new media. Now, the new age itself is not so sure.

At a digital media conference organized by Technologic Computer Letter last week, the talk was that interactive, 500-channel, do-it-yourself cyberspace will take longer to arrive. Meanwhile, advertisers this summer put up $4.4 billion in advance to buy time on network TV in the new season. A 30-second spot on "Home Improvement" if you could buy a spot on that sold-out show would cost you $225,000. is the future of advertising, a $300-billion worldwide industry. Computerized TV may favor direct marketing, which is now a mail and phone-call business, or an adaptation of newspaper classified advertising.

Most surprising, the networks may be technology's! darling. Signal compression, a feature of digital television which is coming in the next four years, could allow, -networks to broadcast three or four separate channels; on the frequency range that now contains just a single channel. Thus, ABC might offer all-sports and all-news channels! along with a conventional entertainment service. cast networks could offer as much variety in one package as several cable channels do now. "Networks, after all, are essentially packagers bf: information," notes William Ebeling Jr.

of Braxton Associ- ates, a division of the accounting firm Deloitte which has published a study on the multimedia age. Are the bidders for NBC and other networks aware of i the technological possibilities? Probably. Smart people Please see FLANIGAN, D2 Dial 808-8463 To use this 24-hour news and information service, call 808-8463 from the 714, 213, 310, 818 or 909 area codes, then press the key' and a four-digit code. Business Updates StockBond Quotation 2000 Mutual Fund Quotations 2100 Dow Jones Market News 2050 Other Business News 2150 Foreign Exchange Rates 2 180 Real Estate Prices 2450 Stock quote Instructions, D6 The numbers are so attractive that Paramount and Warner Bros, are trying to organize networks of their own. Has the future been delayed? No.

Technology is moving forward as fast as ever. But what has not-been recognized is that it may favor TV networks. You have to know what to watch for and how to interpret it. Think, for example, about the implications of personal computers hooking into television sets, as a new Compaq model and IBM's forthcoming Activa home computers can. No great technical advance yet; you can watch CNN while working on your spreadsheet.

But in the future, you'll be able to store programs and manipulate televised information in your home computer. What about advertising? Everybody is speculating about the future of television, but a far more immediate question.