“Five of the most common mistakes are easy to avoid with the right information and support, as well as a little creativity.” Because estate planning has plenty of legal jargon, it can make some people think twice about planning their estates, especially people who believe that they have too little…
Check out some often-overlooked retirement planning facts of life that everyone should be aware of. It’s crucial to have a plan for your retirement, so let’s get educated. There are some facts you might not know about retirement, like the way in which your Social Security benefit can be taxed…
“Running and owning a business is just like raising a child: Both are investments in the future, and both require a lot of time, resources and effort to raise successfully. One can argue that you would treat your business like you'd treat a child; you'd want it to succeed even…
It’s a problem that most people wish they had: a sudden influx of money, sometimes a lot of money. It can be overwhelming, and the most important thing to do is—nothing, at first. The first thing to do when you are newly flush with money, is take a few deep…
Consumers often find themselves with investments with one company, insurance with another, a financial advisor with a third company and one or maybe more banks. Depending upon the asset level, it may make sense to put all of this under one roof. Trust companies provide clients with a variety of…
Being named as an executor is a big responsibility. Before accepting this role, you should understand what the tasks are, and what you need to be careful about to protect yourself. It’s flattering. Someone you know thinks highly enough of you to name you as their executor. That means they…
It’s a hard thing to imagine: what would your life be like, if you were not able to take care of yourself? Not being able to manage your physical or financial needs, drive, leave your home without assistance, or do any of the things that you do now as a…
Once you understand what a will can do, the reason that everyone needs one becomes a lot clearer, especially if you have any minor children or any assets. A will is a legal document used to provide clear and binding instructions on how you want your assets to be distributed…
There are different types of property. What we informally call real estate, is known in the law as “real property.” That includes any property that is made of land and any structure that sits on it. That also can include assets that appear on that piece of land, like crops,…
It’s easy to focus most of the estate planning attention on the will and distribution of assets. However, a power of attorney is often as important as a will. Naming a person to take on the role of Power of Attorney is not easy. For some families, it can hang…