IRAs Tag Archives — Page 4 of 5 — Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog

Ring In the New Year with a Roth IRA

Published on: January 1, 2015 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Sharron Epperson, who is CNBC’s senior personal finance correspondent, stressed the importance of retirement planning in the coming year — with two products in particular.

Need a financial resolution for 2015? Save as much money as you can in a Roth IRA. One of the best things you can do to set yourself up for financial success in the future is to be strategic with your savings.

According to a recent article at gobankingrates.com, titled “CNBC’s Sharon Epperson on Why You Need a Roth IRA in 2015,” in the event of an emergency make sure you're able to withdraw your contributions at any time without incurring penalties or fees. This is also a terrific way to save for retirement, because you might be in a higher or lower tax bracket when you’re in your 60s. Who knows?

Recent Survey Says 80% of Americans Failed Retirement Literacy Test

Published on: December 30, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

“We’re not surprised by the fact that people don’t know a lot about retirement income planning,” says David Littell, program director at the American College. “I was surprised at how badly they did.”

Could you pass a retirement literacy test? Apparently, 80 percent of Americans surveyed did not.

These Americans were polled on 38 retirement literacy questions on basics like Social Security, life expectancy, IRAs, life insurance and investments, and the mechanics of bonds. Sadly, only 20 percent were given passing grades, the college said. This isn't the first survey to raise concerns about Americans’ retirement readiness. In an article titled “Americans fail in retirement literacy,“ The (Palm Springs, CA) Desert Sunnoted similar shortcomings in a 2011 report.

Houston Residents and Roth IRAs

Published on: December 12, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

These three questions merely scratch the surface of other factors that may need to be considered. Keep in mind that your estate at age 45 is likely very different from the one you’ll have at age 65 and 85 — your accounts change, you spend/inherit assets, and you gain/lose family members. The more complex your situation, the more you’ll benefit from working with a skilled financial adviser, tax specialist, and estate attorney.

If you are considering a Roth IRA, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Will your Roth outlive you? In estate planning, the top two reasons for Roth conversions are to bequeath tax-free assets and to reduce your taxable estate. It’s critical to project your spending lifestyle relative to your net worth to understand how your assets may be used in retirement. This allows you to see what assets are likely to be part of your remaining estate.

Providing for Houston Heirs, Regardless of Wealth

Published on: December 2, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

“Regardless of how much wealth you have,” says Gregory Popera, a private wealth adviser with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, “having some type of estate plan and financial power of attorney are sort of the financial building blocks to make sure your assets go where you want them to go.”

Making sure your heirs are taken care of once you pass is an important goal of estate planning. And you don't have to be among the wealthy to create financial stability for your loved ones.

The Washington Post recently discussed practical strategies for financial security in an article titled "How to pass money on to your children."

Planning for Death Is Unpleasant; Critical for Houston Families

Published on: December 1, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Once someone dies there is much work to be done. These are a few suggestions to help you get administratively organized for death.

To make death easier for all involved, it’s critical to plan some of the issues related to death far in advance with some contemplation to make everything go as smoothly as possible when a loved one passes away.

When a loved one dies you have to remember IRS deadlines, Social Security Administration requirements, compliance with state laws, and dealing with other grieving family members. There’s also the chance you might have some relatives who feel entitled to more or different assets.

It’s Time Again: Year-End Planning for Houston Families

Published on: November 13, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

As 2014 dwindles down, it’s time to consider your year-end planning.

The holidays will be here before you know it, and that means the end of 2014 is near. Have you started your year-end planning yet?

A recent article in the Physician's Money Digest, titled "10 Financial Planning Tips for Year-end," offers some helpful financial planning tips for the year-end.

Supreme Court Ruling Says IRAs Not Protected from Bankruptcy

Published on: October 30, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

As a result, financial advisers and families are taking steps to shield IRA assets for children and other beneficiaries in case those heirs ever find themselves in bankruptcy proceedings.

Is your IRA protected from creditors in the event of bankruptcy? Not anymore. Because of the recent unanimous high court decision, experts and families are taking steps to protect IRA assets for beneficiaries in the event those heirs declare bankruptcy.

A recent Wall Street Journalarticle, "Court Ruling Sparks Rush to Shield IRAs," finds that many advisers are urging clients to create a trust as the IRA’s beneficiary, or to set up an IRA as a trust account while the owner is still alive. Either way, the original owner has access to the money before he or she dies. Depending on the type and terms, trusts can shield assets (including an IRA) against creditors.

Consider These Inheritance Planning Questions for Houston Estates

Published on: October 16, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Making decisions about the disposition of your assets can be an emotionally fraught and time-consuming process. Take small steps and seek expert guidance to realize your plans for the financial care of your families.

Who gets what when it comes to your estate? The process of distributing your assets is no easy task.

A recent Forbesarticle, titled "Estate Planning 101: Picking Your Heirs," provides some very useful instructions on basic estate planning. The article lists a series of questions that can help you organize your thoughts and prioritize your planning.

Houston Families: Do Your Beneficiary Designations Align With Your Will?

Published on: October 10, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

One of the colossal failures in estate planning I witness when people make their wills is not coordinating the will with the overall beneficiary designations they have chosen.

Does your will surpass your beneficiary designations on financial accounts?

A recent Wall Street Journal article, titled "How People Undermine Their Own Written Will," explains that most people believe that their written will take priority and supersedes the beneficiary designations on their investments. This isn't true. When you designate a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, a 401(k) plan, or an IRA—that is a binding contract. The basic tenants of contract law apply just as it would in a mortgage or a sale. What this means is that if you stipulate in your will that you want to leave your IRA to your brother and the beneficiary designation form of your IRA says that it is all supposed to pass to your sister, then your brother is out of luck. Despite your explicit instructions in your will, the IRA will go to the named beneficiary.

Should You Use Mediation To Discuss Houston Elder Law Issues?

Published on: October 7, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Mediation has emerged as a valuable tool for seniors and their families as an alternative to costly litigation. Mediation can be a useful instrument to prevent post death conflict by dealing with a family's issues during the senior's life.

A recent issue of the New York Law Journal, titled "Mediation: Prevent Estate Litigation, Preserve Relationships," explains when a family has a positive relationship and is making decisions together, difficult issues can be dealt with little or no hard feelings. On the other hand, if family members disagree or have competing interests, there is a chance that conflicts may arise. These disputes can lead to contested guardianship proceedings when the senior is alive and contested estate proceedings after he or she is gone. Either one of these disputes can take an immense toll financially and emotionally on a family.

Elder law attorneys help seniors address and resolve the issues that face them at their current stage of life. This can include long-term care matters, retirement benefits, estate planning, housing, abuse and neglect of a vulnerable senior, potential guardianship, and health care. Elder law attorneys can also assist with post-death issues relating to probate and estate administration.