With few exceptions, most of us are living digital lives. That includes basics like sharing family news on social media and storing photos in the cloud, as well as financial information. Your digital life needs to be part of your estate plan, now more than ever before. Your executor and…
First, say thank you. Then, learn more about the rules about paying taxes on a financial gift. Couples whose families are generous enough to give them help towards buying their first home are often concerned with what, if any, tax liability may be created. Do they have to pay taxes…
Estate planning is not just for people who live in mansions. Quite the opposite! Everyone needs to have an estate plan to protect themselves while they are living and to protect loved ones when they pass. Having an estate plan can eliminate confusion, expensive delays and overall bad outcomes, according…
The cost of long-term care insurance may not be cheap, but the cost of long-term care is extremely expensive, and is only moving higher. Long-term care insurance is costly, but health care costs for seniors who need long-term care could easily undo decades of retirement planning. Here’s what you need…
With the number of late in life marriages among older Americans on the rise, it is best to address financial, legal and blended family issues before walking down the aisle. We Americans like to be married. So much so that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about a third of…
Parking a “granny pod” in the backyard may be the best way to have aging parents near, but not under, your own roof. Finding suitable and affordable housing for aging parents is a real challenge for many families. A senior lifestyle community may be too expensive, but living on their…
For those who joined the military in recent years, a big decision is looming for their future. They have to make a choice next year between staying in the old retirement system or opting for the new one. Figuring out whether or not to stay with the current military retirement…
With the holidays fast approaching, it's a great time to think about keeping grandparents—and their grandchildren—safe at home. In the U.S. today, multigenerational living is on the rise, due to the higher cost of housing, student loans, and the more challenging career path faced by younger adults today. Money isn’t…
The Veterans Administration recently announced their new application process to apply for the Veterans Identification Card (VIC). Back in 2015, The Veterans Identification Act ordered the VA to issue a VIC to veterans, also referred to as the universal photo ID. The VA was supposed to have this card available…
If you roll the money over to an IRA first, you can donate funds from your 401(k) Required Minimum Distribution tax free. Be very careful to follow the rules, so that you don’t create a tax or penalty problem. First, let’s define the RMD (Required Minimum Distributions). This is the…