Estate Planning for Snowbirds
Considerations Before Heading South for the Winter For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it is time to head south. If you are thinking about heading for warmer weather this winter, there are a few things you should consider before hitting the road. Which state do you consider your home? Your state of domicile […]
Estate Planning for Military Families
No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when one or more family members are […]
When Is the Best Time to Plan Your Estate?
Most people start thinking about planning their estates when they reach retirement age. After all, the “normal” progression of life is to graduate school, get a job, get married, have children, help your children graduate school, retire, become grandparents, and enjoy life. Then, after a long and fulfilling life, you will eventually pass on. But […]
Estate Planning Checklist Before You Travel
Does your estate plan (or lack thereof) come to mind every time you board a plane or embark on a long drive? When we travel, many of us are reminded of our own mortality and the remote but real possibility that we might not return due to death or illness. Before any trip, most of […]
How to Disinherit a Family Member
When planning your estate, you have the right to distribute your assets any way you choose. There is a myriad of reasons why a person might decide to disinherit a would-be beneficiary. The method of disinheriting someone depends on the person’s relationship to you. Disinheriting Your Spouse Unless your spouse agrees in writing, it is […]
Understanding Corporate Trustees
Seven Reasons to Have a Professional Help You Build, Manage, and Protect Your Wealth With people living longer and healthcare costs continuing to rise, our savings must grow larger and last longer. Deciding where to put your money in an uncertain market with so many investment options from which to choose can be very confusing, […]
Don’t Let Creditors Inherit from You or Your Spouse
Although spouses receive special treatment when inheriting a retirement account such as an IRA (the ability to roll over the account into a personal retirement account and to stretch the distributions over their lifetime), the retirement account you leave for your spouse can still be seized in a divorce, a lawsuit, or a bankruptcy proceeding. […]
Young Adults Need Estate Planning, Too
Most young adults think they are invincible. But the reality is that anyone can become seriously ill or be injured in an accident or a random act of violence at any time. Far too many of us know the tragedy of a promising young life that was abruptly cut short. Once a child turns eighteen, […]
What Does Funding My Living Trust Mean and How Do I Do That?
Funding your trust is the process of transferring ownership of your assets from you to your trust. To do this, you physically change the titles from your individual name (or joint names) to the name of your trust. You will also change most beneficiary designations to your trust so those proceeds will flow into your […]
Estate Planning with Dementia on the Rise
Dementia is a chronic or persistent syndrome caused by brain disease or injury and marked by deterioration of memory, personality changes, and impaired cognitive function. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the number of people who are affected by dementia increases. Perhaps more alarming is that individuals in their fifties are more commonly […]
