Your very first estate planning document was likely a Last Will and Testament. Although you will undoubtedly continue to rely on a Will within your estate plan, as your family and your estate grow you will need to incorporate additional tools into your estate plan in order to achieve a widening circle of goals. Among the most common of those additional tools is a living trust. While there are a seemingly endless number of reasons why you might want to include a living trust in your estate plan, … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to Include a Living Trust in Your Estate Plan
Do Veterans Benefits Transfer to a Surviving Spouse?
If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran, the United States owes you a debt that can never truly be repaid. Though there is no way to repay you for the sacrifice you made as the spouse of a serviceman or servicewoman, the U.S. does offer a number of benefits to veterans as well as to surviving spouses. If your spouse is no longer here to help support you financially, he/she would undoubtedly want you to receive all the veterans benefits to which you are entitled as a surviving … [Read more...] about Do Veterans Benefits Transfer to a Surviving Spouse?
Aretha Franklin Died Intestate: What Does It Mean for Her Family?
Aretha Franklin died intestate. Intestacy has definite drawbacks. Read on to see what this means for her family, financially and in other ways. Aretha was the Queen of Soul, but her lack of planning caused consequences she did not consider. Aretha Franklin Died Intestate: What Does It Mean for Her Family? … [Read more...] about Aretha Franklin Died Intestate: What Does It Mean for Her Family?
Estate Planning is About More Tan Taxes
Estate Planning addresses many concerns, not just taxes. It can protect beneficiaries from their own creditors, provide divorce and remarriage protection, and protect the benefits of children with special needs. Learn more about how Estate Planning can help protect your beneficiaries by providing privacy and other benefits. Estate Planning is About More Tan Taxes … [Read more...] about Estate Planning is About More Tan Taxes
Prenuptial Agreements Can Provide Remarriage Protection
Requiring a prenuptial agreement before your spouse remarries can provide peace of mind and protect your spouse, your children, and their inheritance. If you leave your assets in a trust for your spouse and children, you can require your spouse obtain a prenuptial agreement before remarriage. This can protect your loved ones. Read on to find out more about prenuptial agreements. Prenuptial Agreements Can Provide Remarriage Protection … [Read more...] about Prenuptial Agreements Can Provide Remarriage Protection
Naming a Trust as Beneficiary of an IRA
Whom should you name as the beneficiary of your IRA or Qualified Plan? Sometimes, it can be best to name a trust for your intended beneficiary. Read on to see the protections a trust can offer that a direct designation of the individual would not. Naming a Trust as Beneficiary of an IRA … [Read more...] about Naming a Trust as Beneficiary of an IRA
Estate Planning is Too Important to Procrastinate
Only 44% of Americans have even a simple Will. We procrastinate for several reasons. Learn those reasons and how to push past them. Learn, briefly, why planning is important. Estate Planning is Too Important to Procrastinate … [Read more...] about Estate Planning is Too Important to Procrastinate
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets
Retirement assets may be a very large part of a person’s estate at death. It’s important to consider the income tax ramifications of naming a beneficiary, as well as protecting those assets for the beneficiaries. This article considers some of these issues. 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets … [Read more...] about 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 5: Retirement Assets
6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 3: Your Kids
An estate plan considers not just to whom assets should go, but also how. Each beneficiary is unique and the estate plan should consider their unique situation. This article looks at a couple with three very different children and how they might leave the assets for them in three very different ways. 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 3: Your Kids … [Read more...] about 6 Important Estate Planning Considerations – Part 3: Your Kids
Missouri Police Create Directory for People with Autism
For the parent of a child with special needs, navigating everyday activities can be a minefield. Even something as seemingly safe as interacting with law enforcement can turn into a dangerous nightmare for someone with mental health issues. That same interaction can also be difficult for a police officer if he/she is unaware that the person the officer has encountered has special needs. Unfortunately, we have all heard news reports illustrating how these interactions can go horribly wrong in an … [Read more...] about Missouri Police Create Directory for People with Autism
