Talk to Your Children about Your Estate Planning
Many baby boomers may hesitate to discuss money with their children, but the reality is that a massive amount of wealth will be transferred in the next couple of decades.
March 15, 2021
Donor Advised Fund is a Win-Win for All Concerned
Funded with cash or other assets, donor-advised funds give charitably minded investors control of when and where their funds are distributed.
March 3, 2021
Extend IRA distributions with a Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable remainder trusts give you more options and more control on how your heirs inherit, now that the “stretch” IRA is a thing of the past.
March 1, 2021
A Trust Must Be Funded to Work
If you don’t also fund it, unexpected things can happen and some of those things may not reflect the intent to the grantor.
February 9, 2021
What to Do First when Your Spouse Dies
After a loved one dies, their affairs need to be set in order. You might find yourself planning a funeral, paying bills and closing accounts. The list of things you need to do after someone dies can seem endless, especially during a time when you are also grieving.
February 3, 2021
Some Fundamental Responsibilities of an Executor
Usually when asked to be the executor of a family member’s estate, the person feels honored and trusted. It’s a big responsibility, since the executor will be tasked with carrying out a loved one’s final wishes.
February 2, 2021
Use a Trust to Protect the Family Farm
The trust is a very useful and flexible tool for estate planning, yet it is probably the most underused estate management technique. A trust is an artificial entity, something like a corporation, created by a document or instrument.
January 28, 2021
Creating a Letter of Last Instruction
A letter of last instruction is a document that outlines funeral planning processes and arrangements. A letter of last instruction should not be confused with a will or testament, which is a legal document that expresses an individual’s wishes on how and to whom their estate should be transferred after their death.
January 26, 2021
Change the Executor of Your Estate
Drafting a last will and testament can help to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. You can also use your will to name a legal guardian for minor children or choose an executor for your estate.
January 25, 2021
Strategies to Keep Inheritance Money Separate
Everything each spouse earns during their marriage is community property. Fortunately, a gift or inheritance is separate property. However, that’s only half the battle.
January 20, 2021