This grim topic deserves your attention. If you haven’t made plans for what will happen after you die, your loved ones will have to pick up the pieces. Here’s the nice part about this serious subject: once you have created an estate plan, you will have a clearer understanding of…
Some people give generously all year long, supporting local nonprofits and taking care of their family members. If that’s you, perhaps it’s time to consider taking a more strategic approach to lifetime giving. Not everyone gives because they are looking to minimize their taxes. If you’ve reached the age and…
With the average American owning more than 100 online accounts, we now have to address the issue of digital estate planning. It’s not as simple as gathering up the sticky notes with passwords that adorn your desk. What would happen if you died unexpectedly and your executor needed to access…
It’s been three years since music icon Prince died at his famous Paisley Park mansion, joining the ranks of many celebrities who died without an estate plan. Prince’s estate, which includes master tapes of his recordings and a 10,000-square-foot Caribbean villa, has been estimated at $200 million. However, what it…
How home ownership is titled, or how it is described on the title to the house, can have far reaching implications that may not come into play for decades. Deciding how the owners of a home will hold title to it, is a much bigger decision than most people think,…
The emphasis on the SECURE act is all about helping Americans save more for retirement. However, it may eliminate a strategy that is used by many to pass wealth across generations. The coverage of the SECURE Act, that has been passed by the House Ways and Means Committee, is garnering…
Nearly half of American households older than 55 have no retirement savings. The U.S. Government Accountability Office says that this number is actually better than in the past. According to the article from CNBC, “These people are on the verge of retiring—and they have nothing saved,” an analysis of the…
At 65, Americans are shifting their focus from accumulating to giving of time and resources. It seems like a natural progression: after living for more than six decades, there’s a greater understanding of what matters. The generosity of the 50 million Americans over 65 may be in part because of…
There is no such thing as a free lunch, except when it comes to employers who match their employee’s 401(k) contributions. This is the closest to free money you’ll ever get. If you’re fortunate enough to work for a company that has a matching plan, congratulations–not everyone does! A matching…
Balancing careers, children, college funds and aging parents present the same-old scenario, but this time to a new generation with a different value system. Members of Generation X, who straddle a fairly wide age range, from late 30s to early 50s, are feeling the crunch of being responsible for their…