Category: Estate Planning
“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 […]
“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 […]
“Depending on whether you are the only beneficiary, or you are buying out other beneficiaries, you could move in, rent or sell.” There are choices when someone inherits a house. However, they depend on several factors. Are there other siblings who also have inherited portions of the ownership of the house? Is there another owner […]
“Paul Allen intended to give away the majority of the $20 billion-plus fortune he accumulated as Microsoft co-founder, technology investor, real estate magnate and NFL and NBA team owner.” It’s been a little more than a year since billionaire Paul Allen’s passing, but the course he charted to give away his fortune remains a private […]
“No good estate plan can afford to ignore the other assets, the ones called ‘illiquid.’ That category includes anything that can’t readily be converted to cash, in a regulated market with readily determined prices.” Many people are focused on their traditional assets that generate monthly statements, like bank and investment accounts, stocks and mutual funds. […]
“Linda Smyth has spent more than 20 years fighting her way through a complicated maze of paperwork, assessments and denials in the attempt to secure services for her son, who is on the autism spectrum.” Working to get her son assessed to qualify for support programs, fighting to get benefits and finding therapists became a […]
“The disadvantages of do-it-yourself elder law estate planning are costly errors, omissions and neglecting protections.” What usually happens when people do their own estate planning or work on elder law issues, without a lawyer who has years of practice? They may not incur the costs on the front end, but the costs, in financial and […]
“No longer staid and boring, retirement homes offer dynamic options for seniors. Retirement communities are continually improving, by keeping seniors active with mental and physical exercises, while intertwining independent living and hands-on care.” At some point in life, many people face the decision of moving into a retirement home or welcoming in-home care. Living in […]
