If you don’t get the assets into the trust, you end up with an “unfunded” trust. If an “unfunded” trust ends up being created because assets were not transferred, there are a number of things that can happen when the…
“Will your beneficiaries receive death benefits free of the federal estate tax?” Your long-term personal financial plan should include sufficient life and disability insurance as a key planning element. With the proper balance and advance planning, you can collect life…
Having a will gives you a voice in what happens to your possessions, and estate planning documents give directions to others about your wishes in the case of incapacity. Many people think that they only need a will if they…
There are certain tax savings to leaving the family home to members of the family. They gain what is called a “step-up in basis.” Here’s how it works. Inheriting real estate is a little different than other assets. When members…
Retirement may bring an end to your work life, but your responsibilities just change gears. You have to learn how to navigate Medicare and manage an investment portfolio. People who may have been happy to let their investment company handle…
None of this should come as a surprise, but you’ll want this information so you can do a better job of planning for your retirement. If the only thing you know about retirement is that you’ve done with the daily…
Don’t assume that your tax liability will shrink during retirement. Start planning now to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Taxes are one of the most overlooked challenges of retirement finances. We typically think about outliving our assets, the high cost of…
An increasing number of women and men are entering the retirement phase of their lives as singles. Putting a financial and estate plan into place is just as important as for couples, even if there are no heirs. It seems…
One of America’s legendary playwrights was also an avid art collector, who amassed an extraordinary art collection. Unlike many collectors, he lived with his art, and it filled his downtown New York City loft. The Edward Albee Foundation will be…
It’s not an easy conversation to have, since you have your own personal finance matters. But there’s another piece of your financial life to consider: your parents and their finances. Here’s how it often goes: you don’t think you have…