Category: Estate Planning
When is the right time to create an elder law estate plan? Even though you may not want to be troubled with serious issues such as death, disability, and long-term care, you are better off to start planning now before it’s too late. This was the advice in a recent article in the Times-Herald Record […]
Effective January 1, 2014, the unified federal gift and estate tax exemption was increased to $5.34 million dollars. What this change means is that an individual can now give up to $5.34 million during their lifetime, or pass away with an estate valued up to $5.34 million dollars, without paying any Federal gift or estate […]
Different plans, tools, and strategies might be needed for people with other life stories. The U.S. has a divorce rate of more than 50%, and many divorcees end up moving on and remarrying. So it is no surprise that there are more blended families today than ever before. This was the subject of a recent […]
If you are a veteran, a veteran’s surviving spouse or a veteran’s surviving dependent in need of additional income, the Non-Service Connection Pension offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs may be just for you. Are you a surviving spouse or a dependent of a veteran, or even a veteran yourself? If you could use some extra […]
Estate planning is not just for the rich. “I’ll get to it eventually.” Have you ever said this regarding your estate and financial plans? Unfortunately, far too many never get around to it. I guess you could say this sums up estate planning in a nutshell: if you fail to plan ahead and protect your […]
Future generations of homeowners should remember the frustrations and family struggles that were caused by the housing bubble being burst and exercise sounder judgment when it comes to buying their next home. Were you planning on using your home to fund your retirement? That strategy may not be as sound as it may have been […]
Either a will or a trust may be appropriate for your estate depending on your circumstances and neither is best for all situations. Which do you need more, a will or a trust? Or do you need both? Well, the answer really varies by person. Forbes recently considered this question in an article titled “Wills […]
Plan to review your beneficiary designations on a regular schedule, ideally as part of an annual review of your finances. Life can get hectic, so it’s best to have a plan when it comes to annual to-do’s or check-ups. Otherwise, some very important things may fall through the cracks. Did you change the batteries in […]
Recently, Paul Walker’s father filed to open the estate, including Walker’s Last Will and Testament. It sheds some interesting information about the Paul Walker Estate and highlights some valuable estate planning lessons. When it comes to celebrity estates, there are many lessons we can all learn about planning. And although the media tends to highlight […]
Take advantage of these tips to grow your retirement nest egg this year. Are you saving for retirement? Whether you are or not, it’s never too late to start! But the earlier the better. A recent article in US News and World Report titled “5 Steps to Save More for Retirement” offers solid tips on […]
