The wishes of former Wham! singer George Michael are bring carried out, just a few months shy of the two-year anniversary of his death. Among the information being shared by Andros Georgiou, a cousin of George Michael, is that all of the organizations and individuals who were mentioned in the…
Talk about a train wreck waiting to happen: beneficiary designations from three or four decades ago can really create a problem for your heirs—or those you thought were your heirs. Most people fill out beneficiary forms when they start a new job, open an investment account and open bank accounts.…
Whether your estate plan documents are stored in the cloud or a filing cabinet, make sure to tell your family members, representatives and executors where you’ve placed these important documents. Chances are you spend a lot more time online with your digital assets than you think. With digital assets and…
Start with the basics, to make sure you’re making informed decisions. Created in July 1965 as part of the Social Security Act, Medicare is how most adults over age 65 cover their healthcare costs. Medicare has four parts. They are Part A: Hospital, Part B: Outpatient Services, Part C: Medicare…
Talk about going big–New York’s Governor Cuomo is expanding services for seniors at risk of elder abuse with an $8.4 million package, combining state and federal funding. Governor Cuomo announced that services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation will be improved through a new initiative…
Don’t assume that the new tax law means that you don’t need an estate plan. If anything, you need to review your estate plan to make sure you’re not missing out any new opportunities. When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan? If it’s been more than a…
The burden of saving for retirement shifted from employers to employees. It is now unusual for companies to offer pensions. If you’re lucky enough to have one, make your decisions wisely. It’s hard to imagine today, but years ago, it wasn’t unusual to stay with one company for a lifetime,…
529 plans are a great way to help parents with taxes and college costs. Grandparents, aunts and uncles and anyone who wants to pitch in, can also benefit. Starting to put aside money in a 529 college plan when children are very young, is a wonderful way to push yourself…
When the family vacation home is passed from one generation to the next, there are certain tax issues to be aware of, particularly the step-up in basis. However, there may also be state taxes. The first part of understanding the tax responsibility when you plan on giving it to your…
Selecting the individuals who will make important decisions on your behalf, when you are incapacitated or have passed away, is not to be done lightly. Is there a bomb ticking quietly in your estate plan? The chances are good that there is, says Forbes in “Defusing The Time Bombs In…