Everyone knows someone who hardly speaks to his brother or sister or aunt simply because of a misunderstanding over an inheritance. Inheritance planning can be a direct mode of expression, whether of appreciation for a person or an extolling of virtues. But can these expressions be taken the wrong way…
"We say to people: 'If you do nothing, your money will go to the state. Is that what you want?' That's enough to make them want to consider something else," says Andrew Russell, a certified financial planner in San Diego. If you have no spouse or children, you may feel…
It’s not that there are different estate-planning tools for each sex. But women are likelier to live longer, they’re likelier to be custodial parents and, speaking generally, women often approach the topic differently than men. Do you think estate planning for women is different than it is for men? Gender…
One of your first considerations should be where to keep your money. When you move abroad, you will most likely need to open a bank account in the new country in order to pay local bills. An increasing number of people are retiring on foreign shores. If you’re thinking about…
"This plant will definitely outlive me," said Ms. Scoratow, a landlady who is 63 years old and in good health. "After I pass, I don't want her to go unloved." Your estate plan should include everything that is dear to you. Once you are gone you'll want to make sure…
Dividing money is easy. But who gets Mom’s tea set? When we hear about heirs fighting over an inheritance, most of us think about money as being the main issue. But money isn't everything! How you split up priceless family artifacts and other physical goods can start or end fights…
Today, with smaller families and more women choosing not to have children, “the dynamic has changed pretty significantly for the generation of baby boomers. The option of doing something charitably significant with their estates is a change,” he said. The New York Times recently touched on the subject of estate…
…There are a few important questions many of us don’t think about. They’re the often overlooked issues of estate planning that could make all the difference for your relatives and heirs after you pass. Estate planning encompasses so many areas of your life. For starters, you'll likely consider your values…
Ultimately, the decision about whether to leave your children money now or later depends entirely on your financial and family circumstances. Deciding whether or not to leave an inheritance is only part of the equation. When should you give it – now or later? Forbes recently tackled this difficult issue…
Remember that any mistakes in your estate plan will live long after you. Follow these rules and you’ll end up with an estate plan that works well for you and your heirs. Planning for the estate is really an ongoing activity. Accordingly, estate planning is not a “one-and-done” event, but…