Estate Planning

Do you know what you would do if you were to suddenly become single? Whether due to death or divorce, are you prepared to take over all of the financial aspects of your life should you need to? According to the U.S. Census statistics, 59 is the average age of widowhood. The stereotype of men as the head of the…Read More

There are a lot of good reasons to do estate planning. Unfortunately, many people put it off until tomorrow. But can we ever be sure we will have a tomorrow? Life is unpredictable. That is why estate planning is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you want to rest easy and have peace of mind.…Read More

The Tolstoy adage “Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” is not one you wish to have applied to your family if you can help it. If you have children who are estranged from each other or are unwilling or incapable of communicating with each other, your decisions in your estate plan may cause more grief than relief.…Read More

Setting up your estate planning documents is not a “one-and-done” event. Even if you are not the type to make New Year’s resolutions, you probably still have a “To Do” list for the year. If a review of your existing estate plan is not on that list, it should be. Better safe than sorry Review this list of questions before…Read More

A few years ago, a wealthy real estate tycoon passed away at the age of 97 with no children and no other family members. The man, a Holocaust survivor, left behind a $40 million estate, but he did not have an estate plan, not even a will – at least none that anyone could find. After a thorough worldwide search for…Read More

Charles Manson, responsible for nine murders almost half a century ago, died of natural causes last month at the age of 83, and once again he appears to be causing chaos. Apparently, during all his years in prison, he failed to do any legitimate estate planning, leaving his potential relatives and friends to fight over his belongings in probate court.…Read More

Estate planning is a task that many people put off doing. As a matter of fact, a 2015 survey from Caring.com revealed that 44 percent of parents in the United States do not have wills or living trusts. Is it because they do not understand the importance of having these documents in place? It is more likely because they see…Read More

Don’t Forget Your Beneficiary Designations When Estate Planning – Estate planning is complicated, and needs careful attention. Many people put it off, however, because it involves thinking about difficult topics, such as… Our own mortality The potential for incapacity or invalidity Naming powers of attorney and health care proxies to handle financial matters and make medical decisions on our behalf…Read More

It’s hard to believe that a new year will arrive in just two months. Before you dive into the holidays that fill up these last days of 2017, take a little time to review this checklist: Has there been a change in your immediate family? I.e. a marriage, divorce, birth or death. The birth of a grandchild or the death…Read More

No matter your level of income, your home may be one of your most valuable assets. Unlike other types of assets — such as pension plans, stocks and 401(k) accounts — homes and long-held vacation properties have sentimental value as well. This can make them hard to let go when the time comes. Whether you are thinking about the distant…Read More