Generally, the best candidates for a prenup, besides anyone with substantial assets, are those going into a second or third marriage, says Bonnie Sockel-Stone, a marital and family attorney in Miami, Florida. A prenup proposal is a bit of an oxymoron. With a marriage proposal, you are pledging to love…
For many people, estate planning is both a private matter and morbid topic – not something that parents want to discuss with their adult children. While having such conversations takes a lot of courage, families that speak freely about these delicate issues can avoid problems down the line. Thinking about…
As the year comes to a close, it is time to consider how we show our generosity, so we can allocate our resources deliberately and effectively. There is still time to give those charitable gifts for 2013! And there are countless worthy causes to choose from. So the question is:…
“What we’ve found is that donors give — and give more — when confident the money will actually make a difference." The giving season is upon us as the end of 2013 is near. Charitable donations are an important way of giving back. If you are ready to…
Often, proxies are confused about how “do not hospitalize” orders work. Several proxies believed, mistakenly, that a such an order was equivalent to a request to withhold medical intervention altogether. For elderly loved ones in nursing homes, there is a very powerful tool found in a little known directive known…
You may have to raise some unpleasant issues when you speak with family members over the holidays if you want to ensure a successful retirement. Soon enough families with be gathering together to celebrate the holiday season. There will be much chatter around the table as families catch up with…
Planning for a special needs beneficiary can be incredibly complex, so it’s generally best to consult with a knowledgeable attorney in your state who specializes in this area. Estate planning helps to ensure our loved ones will be taken care of when we are no longer here. These plans are…
A comprehensive estate plan ensures that wills, trusts, ownership forms and beneficiary designations are in sync with your wishes. Is your plan up-to-date? As the old adage puts it, most folks do not “plan to fail, they just fail to plan.” In this sense, leaving an inheritance behind can get…
While the dispute over inherited IRAs has not arisen often, it may crop up more in the future. Does an "inherited" retirement account remain a retirement account for the intended heir? This may sound like a rhetorical question, but it is currently one before the U.S. Supreme Court in the…
An estimated 70% of businesses don’t have a family member capable or willing to assume responsibility. What are you doing to plan for the sale? A certain reality will eventually set in when it comes to the future of your business. And that reality is that some day you…