Neglecting to plan for family dynamics can destroy the best estate plans. Make sure to address both difficult personalities and tax liabilities. They can be equally problematic. Saving loved ones from a large tax bill and maximizing the transfer of wealth across generations is great, but your estate plan needs…
Most young adults are not thinking about retirement when they get their first jobs, but starting early, even if on a very small scale, can make a big difference. When you are working to pay off student loans and trying to save enough to get a place of your own,…
Not having a spouse makes it more important for singles to plan to protect themselves from a legal and financial standpoint. Everyone should have a plan in place for incapacity, affirms fox5atlanta.com in a recent article, “Estate, emergency planning for single people.” This is especially true for singles. While married…
Having a will prepared is a gift of kindness to your loved ones. They will appreciate the effort to care for them, after you’ve passed on. If you need another reason to have a will prepared, consider the potential for conflict among loved ones who will have to guess about…
Estate plans are as individual as the families that they are created for. Blended families need estate plans that address their own dynamics, including the resources and children that each spouse brings to the new family. Blended families who marry, when children are young, are different from those who marry…
Watching Anthony Bourdain travel the lesser known corners of the world and relish exotic foods and people was fascinating. However, that same approach does not work well, when it comes to more mundane matters, like estate planning. What Anthony Bourdain’s family could have used was a disaster plan, based on…
Without a will, decisions about your life, property and children will be made by someone who does not know you or your family. With a will, you have the ability to express your wishes. You need a will! Having a will is not just for wealthy folks, who need to…
Consider these twin concepts—opportunity cost and delayed retirement credits—before you decide when to start taking Social Security. By waiting until age 70, you’ll increase your monthly benefit, but at what cost? A recent article in Forbes, “Social Security Benefits: Getting Paid To Wait,” examines the dilemma. Money managers call it…
Don’t delay finalizing your estate plan, because determining who to name as your executor is difficult. Here’s some help to figure out how to make this important decision. If there are no family members or friends with the necessary skills, your best option may be to name your attorney as…
People moving into an assisted living facility, should do a lot of research to make sure they get the quality care and the services they need. Their lives may depend on it. Life in an assisted living facility is a welcome alternative to aging seniors who are no longer able…