Category: Will
Here are the four estate-planning documents everyone needs. Don’t think you really need a will? Think again! Creating a will with a qualified estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure your wishes will be honored and moved quickly through the legal process. As The Wall Street Journal warns in “Four Estate-Planning Documents Everyone […]
There are basic rules and guidelines that apply to every estate plan, whether it is taxable or not. Draft an effective plan by paying attention to these guidelines, regardless of what the tax law is or might become. You always can make adjustments if the tax law changes. What’s your excuse for not having an estate […]
If your digital assets aren’t included in an estate plan, your heirs might not know about that online stock account you have. They might not know you do all your banking online. Your digital assets could be lost forever. In addition to your tangible assets, your digital assets should be included in your estate plan. […]
If you care about those who will handle things for you in case you become incapacitated, help them now. Do it if you have dependent children or someone depending on you financially. Do it for the people you will leave behind. Stop thinking that everyone knows what you want when you pass away. And even […]
Enlisting the help of a qualified wealth management professional to determine which type of IRA will best support a person’s retirement goals. So you want an IRA, but you aren’t sure if you need a traditional one or a Roth. How do you decide? Let’s explore the Roth IRA a bit further to help your […]
Disinheritance is a profound element of an estate plan. It can be triggered by a single, specific event, or result from the lifelong flaws of a relationship. For example, a parent may decide to remove one child as a residuary beneficiary under his or her will because of a heated dispute and subsequent estrangement. Making […]
Should you be happy or suspicious of dad’s new girlfriend Goldie? If Goldie is in similar circumstances—divorced or widowed, with her own assets—you might be thrilled. But if she’s much younger and your family and friends have never heard of her before, it could be hard to tell if you’re dealing with a paramour or […]
When you blog about personal finance for people over 50, every so often you need to write a scold post. This is one of those times. Please stop taking an ostrich approach to estate planning. A recent survey from Rocket Lawyer shows that 51% of Americans age 55 to 64 don’t have a will. And the […]
A better alternative for the secret paramour or child is the Totten trust. Millions of bank accounts are actually Totten trusts, which are simply a form of pay-on-death account. Traditional trusts are a great tool for transferring assets to one’s heirs. But for those who find themselves in precarious situations regarding paramours or secret children, […]
A federal rule requires insurance providers to cover children signed up within 30 days of birth retroactively to day one. Some plans may provide more flexibility. Expecting a baby? At most, you have nine months to do your homework. Don’t forget to review the chapter on insurance! The Wall Street Journal urges couples to take […]
