Incapacity might be harder for some people to imagine than death. They can’t wrap their thoughts around the idea of being alive yet unable to function. Making decisions for how you want to be cared for while you are still able to choose, is a gift to yourself and your…
When the greed nerve gets tapped, relationships suffer. There are things you can do now that will lessen the likelihood of family battles after you pass. Every family has its own dynamics, and some siblings that never resolve their differences, no matter how many years go by. When both parents…
Conversations about money, death and dying wishes become tangled up in strong emotions surrounding these matters. A strategic approach might be helpful. Every family is different, but almost every family struggles with conversations about wills, estate planning and money. A recent article in The Chicago Tribune, “Have the estate planning…
Regardless of which candidate becomes president and what changes are made in coming years, there will still be a need for estate planning in Texas, and that includes regular folks as well as the ultra-wealthy. If the U.S. federal estate tax were to be eliminated, there will still be plenty…
A cautionary tale ends with a will being declared invalid, firings at the local police station and a lesson in elder abuse. A wealthy 92 year old woman suffering from dementia left a $2 million estate to a local police sergeant but after three years of legal wrangling, her will…
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…
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…