We often get asked this question: “wouldn’t this just be an easier way to avoid probate?” The reality is that is, of course, an option. However, there are many pitfalls (we detail 7 here) with that approach that get overlooked or are unknown. Watch this video to get the information you need before making such
One of the common things to do when it comes to estate planning is to only focus on what happens when you die and ignore planning for the possibility of a medical emergency where you may not die but are temporarily or permanently incapacitated. Think accident, head injury, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, early onset of
When planning their estates, most people focus on major assets, such as business interests, real estate, investments and retirement plans. But it’s also important to “sweat the small stuff” — tangible personal property. Examples include automobiles, jewelry, clothing, antiques, furniture, artwork, photographs, music collections, personal papers, collectibles (such as stamps, coins or baseball cards) and
Before you get alarmed, the real elephants are safe. But you metaphorical elephants, watch out! I know how to eat you…and I’m willing to share how. What do I mean? Creating “to-do lists” of resolutions and goals is part of human nature. So is having a hard time getting the tasks on those lists done.
Estate planning is on many “to-do lists” each year. That is a good thing. But resist the temptation to simply check it off your list. It’s not a “one-and-done.” If you are doing your planning right, it should never leave that list because it’s something that should be revisited and done every year. Watch this
An inheritance can come in many forms. Sometimes it is money, sometimes it is real estate, and sometimes it’s in the form of stocks or other appreciable assets. What is often true, is that beneficiaries rarely have their inheritances appraised at the time they receive them. If you are a beneficiary receiving outright money (not
Many older adults are capable of driving safely, even into their 70s and 80s. But people age differently. Several factors place seniors at much greater risk for road accidents and affect seniors’ driving ability. More importantly, a person 70 or older involved in a car accident is more likely to be seriously hurt, require hospitalization
Now that you have an estate plan in place, you should test it by doing a “fire drill.” Just like a fire drill at school or work practices how you evacuate a building safely, a fire drill for your estate plan tests the accessibility and operability of your plan during an emergency or crisis. Ask
On September 18, the Veterans Administration (VA) published new rules that make it more difficult to qualify for this important benefit. For example, any gifts made in the past 36 months, either to a family member or to an irrevocable trust, would be penalized. Likewise, an investment in an annuity would also be penalized.
In speaking with a friend whose mother had recently died, he shared with me a beautiful story about a quite unexpected gift his mother had left for him and his brother. He was so moved by it that it brought him to tears. He explained that when he contacted the local funeral home, he learned
What happens to my frequent flyer miles when I die? This is a common question that we hear from clients when we are assisting them with their estate planning. Frequent Flyer miles and other reward points can be valuable resources. Many credit card companies give tens of thousands of miles or points for opening an
Life insurance provides security and peace of mind that our loved ones will be financially taken care of even if we are no longer around. However, how do you know if you have purchased enough or gotten the right policies? For many (including us) the first foray into life insurance may have felt like shooting
Safe deposit boxes are commonly used to protect valuable belongings and important documents (such as insurance policies, financial documents, a will or a trust). However, it is easy to overlook what will happen to that safe deposit box after you die or you became incapacitated. The unintended consequences could be devastating or as your
I often get asked this question by clients or their adult children when a spouse or family member needs assistance with activities of daily living and requires extra care. This could be in the form of adult day care, in-home care, assisted living, or skilled nursing. None of these are covered by Medicare and all
In the excitement of buying a home, filling out paperwork such as how do you want to hold title to your new home can often be a rushed process. As a result, many homeowners simply choose the one that sounds “right” without knowing the true ramifications or potential consequences down the road. In this video,