What can you do to push past the emotional aspects of estate planning to make sure your surviving family members can successfully deal with issues that may arise after you pass away? Start early. Patrick Severo is the senior vice president and financial advisor at RBC Wealth Management. He also…
At some point, everyone needs to consider estate planning. It’s time to create an up-to-date estate plan when you experience one of these life events. Think estate planning isn’t for you? Think again! And it’s not just a one-time deal; changes in your life should result in changes to your…
Don’t wait until the very last minute to make sure you are prepared, says Michael H. Milarski, a partner and senior financial advisor with Signature Financial Planning. Have you checked your list and you’re sure you’re ready to retire? You may have a few items to address before your golden…
So how do you know if your estate plan is out-of-date? If your will or trust predates these four key “freshness dates,” it may be time to visit your attorney for a review. Estate plans are not meant to be a one-time deal. If life changes – or the law…
Actually the trusts are Crummey trusts named after one D. Clifford Crummey who won a decision in the Ninth Circuit in 1968, when I was just a high school lad. Israel and Erna Mikel were just in Tax Court showing how powerful the Crummey power can be as they used…
Most of us don’t want to just enjoy our retirement and have enough money for old age, but to leave something behind as well. But what's the best way to do that? Should you leave an inheritance, or give your money away while you're still around? Let’s take a look…
Rubin Frels is considered by some as the "godfather of movies in South Texas." Although he has been dead for almost a year, the prominent Victoria businessman's estate is still being legally contested by two of his longtime associates, Brad Richards and Gary Dunnam. The Victoria (TX) Advocate has reported…
"Everyone of majority age needs at the least a will, a health care directive and a named power of attorney," says Mike Sena, a certified financial planner with White Street Advisors, a money management firm. "The express purpose of estate planning is to make things as easy, as inexpensive and…
Few people get excited about doing estate planning, even though they might recognize the importance of leaving a legacy for their children and grandchildren. If you want to be smart about making gifts to your loved ones, though, there are some things you should consider before just writing a check.…
If a Loved One or you have an estate plan, or even part of one, then some team members already are on board via the planning process and likely are actively serving or are nominated in the documents. They can have roles in the testamentary will, trusts, business purchase agreement,…