“Probate is the legal process of presenting the will to the public, by hiring an attorney to present the will to the judge of the probate court. If the judge finds that the will meets all the necessary legal criteria, and there is no contest of the will, the judge signs a court order recognizing […]

“One of the most dramatic scenes in the movie, is the gathering of the Thrombey Family at their father’s estate to hear the reading of the will.” One of the recent surprise hit movies has been the murder mystery Knives Out, with a star-studded cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig and Chris Evans. […]

“Many people are looking forward to 2020, simply because it’s the start of a new decade. However, if you plan to retire in 2020, then you clearly have your own set of reasons to get excited for the year ahead.” If you’re sure that you are going to leave the working world and start your […]

“While most of us had stockings and menorahs on our minds, President Trump on Dec. 20 signed the Secure Act that makes the most significant changes in retirement accounts we’ve seen in years.” For anyone who has saved a high six or seven-figure balance in their retirement accounts, the SECURE Act will definitely affect their […]

“Federal law, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, forbids discrimination in the mortgage market on the basis of age. Nonetheless, loan officers say older borrowers often don’t realize they can get loans with terms that will expire on their 110th, 120th or nearly 130th birthdays.” A senior loan officer with a mortgage company in Florida […]

“According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age of widowhood in the United States is a surprisingly young 59.” Becoming a widow at a relatively young age, puts many people in a tough financial position, says the article “Preparing for the Unexpected Death of a Spouse” from Next Avenue. At this point in their […]

“These changes are so significant that every such plan holders should review their wishes and how their estate plans may be affected.” The SECURE Act has made big changes to how IRA distributions occur after death. Anyone who owns an IRA, regardless of its size, needs to examine their retirement savings plan and their estate […]

“Unlike with stolen credit cards, a saver’s losses to fraud in retirement investment accounts aren’t limited by federal law, although mutual fund companies typically say they’ll reimburse funds lost to fraudulent activity.” She thought she had nearly $80,000 saved in her employer-sponsored retirement plan, but when Beth Bennett checked on her account, there was only […]

“Adults with disabilities are living much longer than in the past, which means their aging parents must plan for the day when their dependent children outlive them.” One in four Americans has some kind of disability, and an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with some form of autism. The life expectancy for people […]

“I am named successor trustee in my parents’ trust. When the time comes, how do I sell the home and the other assets?” This is a common concern of people when they learn they have been named as a successor trustee, says nwi.com in the article “Estate Planning: The role of a successor trustee“. The […]