The loss of a loved one is a challenging and emotional time. Amidst the grieving process, there are practical matters that need attention, especially in relation to your loved one’s estate. Estate planning plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth transition and proper distribution of assets. Here are 10 important steps to take when […]
Planning for Families
Exploring Asset Protection Against Creditors
Trusts are powerful tools for asset management and estate planning. When it comes to protecting your assets from potential creditors, understanding the differences between irrevocable and revocable trusts is essential. By gaining insight into these trust structures, you can make informed decisions about asset protection strategies. Revocable Trusts Revocable trusts, also known as living trusts, […]
Is Signing Away an Inheritance the Best Option?
Inheritance is often viewed as a significant windfall that can bring financial security and stability to one’s life. However, there are situations where individuals may choose to sign away their inheritance willingly. This decision, although unconventional, can carry various benefits depending on personal circumstances and considerations. What does Signing Away an Inheritance Mean? Signing away […]
Maximize Your Trust: A Guide To Funding
Funding your trust properly is important to ensure that your assets are managed according to your wishes and that your beneficiaries receive the maximum benefit from the trust. Here are 5 tips to help you fund your trust: 1. Identify which assets you need to transfer to your trust It’s important that you identify which […]
Safeguarding Seniors from Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing problem in the digital age, and seniors are particularly vulnerable to this crime. As more seniors use online services to manage their finances, communicate with loved ones, and access healthcare, they become targets for identity thieves. Here are 7 tips and strategies to help seniors protect themselves against identity theft: […]
How to Plan for Your Child to Turn 18
Planning for your child’s transition into adulthood is an important step in ensuring their success and independence. Here are some tips for planning for your young adult to turn 18: 1. Talk About Finances As your child turns 18, they will become legally responsible for their own finances. This means it’s important to talk to […]
The Importance of Appointing Guardians
Having guardians set for your children in case something happens to you is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your children are taken care of in the event of an emergency. Here are some reasons why it’s so important: 1. Ensure Your Children’s Care By appointing guardians for your […]
How to Plan For A Child With Special Needs
Estate planning is an important consideration for all parents, but it is especially important for parents of special needs children. It is important for parents of special needs children to have a solid estate plan in place to ensure that their child’s needs are met and their assets are managed appropriately. Here are 4 considerations […]
Estate Planning For Blended Families
Blended families are becoming more and more common. These families often include stepchildren, ex-spouses, and other complicated relationships that can make estate planning a challenge. However, with careful consideration and planning, it is possible to create an estate plan that addresses the unique needs of blended families. Here are 5 tips for blended families: 1. […]
How to Communicate With Your Healthcare Provider
As a patient, you have a right to be involved in the decisions that affect your health. This includes decisions about your medications. Effective communication with your healthcare provider is crucial in ensuring that you receive the right medications and that they are prescribed in the right way. Here are some tips on how to […]
7 Ways to Know Your Assets Are Protected
Protecting your assets is an essential part of financial planning, whether you are just starting out or are already established. Your assets are what you have worked hard for, and you want to make sure that they are secure and protected. Here are some tips for protecting your assets: Protecting your assets requires planning, diligence, […]
How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent
While the term fiduciary is a legal term with a rich history, it very generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interests. Trustees, executors, and agents are all examples of fiduciaries. When you pick trustees, executors, and agents in your estate plan, you’re picking one or more people to […]
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are long-term housing and care options for older adults. Although people sometimes use the terms assisted living and nursing home synonymously, they are distinct. Understanding the differences between assisted living and nursing homes is critical for those considering where to live as they age. This is because assisted living […]
Traveling for the Holidays? 5 Things to Take Care Of
Are you planning on traveling for the holidays? Before you zip up the last suitcase, here are five issues you need to address to protect yourself and your loved ones. 1. Do you have a foundational estate plan? Has it been reviewed? An estate plan is a set of instructions memorialized in legal documents that […]
Gift & Estate Tax Exclusions Rise in 2023
Although inflation is generally nothing to be pleased about, the IRS recently announced inflation-adjusted changes to the annual gift tax annual and estate tax exclusions for 2023. If you are considering wealth transfer tax planning, these are welcome increases. Gift Tax Annual Exclusion Effective January 1, 2023, the gift tax annual exclusion will increase from […]
Power of Attorney: Agent’s Role
For most people, the phrase “power of attorney” means very little. Even for those educated on the subject, it is easy to forget exactly who serves what role and why. Whether you are unfamiliar with the concept or simply need a refresher, keep reading to learn what it means to be an agent under a […]
When Should You Start Helping With Your Parents’ Finances?
It is tough to know when you should step in and help your parents with their finances. You may go back and forth about when to take over. Deciding whether your parents still have the cognitive ability to manage their money is a difficult call to make. A recent report reveals why it may be […]
Using a Standby Supplemental Needs Trust to Protect Your Loved Ones
We all plan for “just-in-case” scenarios. When packing for our week-long vacation, we throw in a rain jacket even though the weather forecast is sunny—just in case. When planning for the future, it is also important to consider what will happen just in case one of your loved ones becomes disabled. We tend to think […]
Right of Occupancy Trust
Estate planning is about protecting you and your loved ones. Sometimes this can be a difficult endeavor when there is a loved one who may require additional support at your death. While you may want to give as much as possible to this individual, you may not want to do so at the expense of […]
Think Your Estate Plan is Complete?
Roughly two-thirds of Americans do not have an estate plan, according to a recent survey from Caring.com.[1] If you are among the minority of US adults who have prepared a will, living trust, and other end-of-life documents, you may think that your estate plan is settled. But you might want to think again. An estate […]