It's best to know the difference between different types of Powers of Attorney before you need one, or more, of these important documents. It may be more fun to chat about exotic vacation getaways, but you will be better prepared for eventual situations if you have a basic understanding of…
Forget to make these changes and your heirs may never forgive you. Forget to align these documents, and your estate planning attorney will never forget you. Once the process of legally ending your marriage begins, you will need to make sure that your own interests are protected and that includes…
Having an emergency fund in place will help you deal with the unexpected. Surprising survey results point to this as a very weak link in many Americans’ financial plans. Seniors who have finally reached retirement age after decades of work and smart planning may think they are all set once…
You know you need life insurance to protect your loved ones. But do you know that having a will is equally important to protect against risks? Without a will, your family faces a number of potential financial disasters. If you think you don’t need a will because you aren’t wealthy…
Trusts are not right for everyone, so they need to be fully explored before being created. If someone says you need a trust as part of your estate plan, you should speak with an experienced estate planning attorney before moving forward. A recent post from NJ 101.5, “The disadvantages to…
A woman’s suit to contest her father’s decision to give his estate to a not-for-profit failed, as his will was found to be valid. The family’s split over religion was never resolved, and there are no winners here. A panel of three judges upheld a previous ruling that Stacy Wolin…
Think of an estate plan as a love letter to your family after you have passed. You’d be surprised at how many people you know don’t have a will or an estate plan in place. They may be among the many who have an unspoken belief that if they don’t…
While the number of people making New Year’s financial resolutions are on the rise, we would do well to make a midyear financial check a regular part of the summer season. The good news is more than 30% of Americans did give some thought to making financial resolutions this past…
Moving a lifetime of possessions in or out of the country is one thing, but moving money from country to country without losing it takes a new kind of financial planner. Whether you are retiring to a small cottage in the Cotswolds or coming home after a career that kept…
The old adage is right—a second marriage is indeed the triumph of hope over experience. Add estate planning to keep that hope—and peace in the family—intact. It’s a delicate balance to hold: preserving assets for children from a first marriage and—at the same time—ensuring that your new spouse will have…