“If you have lost your spouse during this time, there are so many issues you must address–funeral arrangements, meeting with lawyers and accountants and dealing with finances. All of this comes on top of dealing with the emotional loss.” Many people have died during the COVID crisis, and others are coping with the death of […]

“What happens when a decedent’s will or trust does not provide for a decedent’s child?” Disinheriting a child as an heir happens for a variety of reasons. There may have been a long-running dispute, estrangement over a lifestyle choice, or not wanting to give assets to a child who squanders money. What happens when a […]

“The list of things you need to do after someone dies can seem endless, especially during a time when you are also grieving.” Making funeral arrangements, paying medical bills and closing down accounts are just the start of the tasks that a surviving spouse must take charge of, advises the recent article “Checklist for Handling […]

“Some states are great to live in, but not so great to die in.” If you are among the many Americans making a move because of economics, a recent article from MarketWatch titled “Thinking about moving to a state with lower taxes? These are the mistake to avoid” has the information you need about the […]

“The distribution of some of our assets can be governed by contracts. Examples of these contracts include life insurance, investment accounts, bank accounts and trusts.” Without proper planning, your will determines who inherits your property—everything from your home, car, bank accounts and personal possessions. Your spouse may not necessarily be your heir—and that’s just one […]

“Deciding when to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision. Making the wrong choice could cost you.” Not knowing when you will be eligible to receive all of the benefits earned through your work history can hurt a retirement plan, says a recent article from CNBC.com titled “Here’s what to you need to […]

“Although there is often a progression of complexity in estate planning, this progression generally follows stages in life rather than specific ages.” Many people decide they need an estate plan when they reach a certain age, but when an estate plan is needed is less about age than it is about stages in life, explains […]

“A revocable trust is great for many reasons, but it does NOT protect assets from nursing home expenses.” The question raised in the article “Fact or Fiction: I Can Protect My Assets from a Nursing Home with a Revocable Trust” from New Hampshire Business Review is frequency asked, and the reason for it is understandable. […]

“If you feel that your child will be incapable of making adult decisions on their own behalf, you can pursue a legal guardianship, so that you will retain the rights to make those decisions for them.” For parents of autistic children, the coming of an 18th birthday is the time when hard decisions need to […]

Enhanced Protections for Non-Borrowing Spouses: Understanding Recent Changes in Reverse Mortgage Laws A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows homeowners age 62 or older to borrow against the equity in their homes and receive a lump sum, a fixed monthly payment, or a line of credit. Reverse mortgages are often used by seniors to […]