An IRA Trust can be a beneficial estate planning tool for families under certain conditions. However, many investors are unaware of the IRA Trust and the benefits that it may provide. Trusts are only for the super wealthy, right? Wrong! The Kokomo Perspective recently posted an article titled “Are You…
Once you're divorced you should immediately create a new estate plan — a will or revocable living trust, a healthcare power of attorney, and a living will ("pull the plug") designee. Read on for more estate planning must-do’s regarding divorce. A recent article in the The Huffington Post, titled “Divorce and…
"Will you still need me? Will you still feed me? When I'm 64?" The Beatles first released these quaint, clarinet-fueled lyrics in 1967 when the loving answer to these questions was a resounding, "Yes!" Traditional marriage vows echo this sentiment in that they presuppose a relationship span that encompasses young…
Frank Underwood is not a real person. He’s the crooked politician portrayed by Kevin Spacey in the Netflix series “House of Cards” who claws his way into the White House by manipulating the press and ruthlessly crushing anyone that might get in his way. But sadly, with one line, he…
The sad truth is that most of us — some 70% of adult Americans — have neglected to write a will. Some think their assets are just too puny to worry about, others worry that the costs of writing a “last will and testament” are too high. But wills aren’t…
"In America" discusses elder law and the way that legal standards and details are changing over time. What exactly is Elder Law? Why is this so important for Americans? Elder law is a general term that describes the laws and regulations that affect older men and women. This term can…
n nearly every way you could make a mistake — for example, saving too late — you can also make up ground by availing yourself of all resources at your disposal (say, your employer's 401(k) matching program). With that in mind, here’s a list of 28 major retirement pitfalls to…
In all states, federal Medicaid law provides special protections for the spouses of Medicaid applicants. But states decide how much the non-institutionalized spouse may keep, within a range. Connecticut's allowance — $23,844 — is the lowest. And legislators are calling for an increase. If this legislation succeeds in reducing the…
In the book The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After 50, author Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz poses the following scenario: “I’m confused about how to divide my estate between my children, who have different needs and financial resources. Is it best to divide it into equal parts?” This question is directed at…
Lifetime gifts may carry considerable advantages over charitable bequests, according to Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (NYSE: CM) (TSX: CM). Lifetime gifting allows you to see your donation make a difference. In addition to this giving advantage, there’s also the goals of receiving an income…