I’m Too Young to Need a Will
When most people in their 50s don’t have a will, it’s no surprise that people in their 20s and 30s don’t think they need a will. However, they do, especially if they have small children. Most of us live for…
Are Your Digital Assets Addressed in Your Estate Plan?
A new role has been created in estate planning to serve a new type of asset. The electronic estate trustee is charged with overseeing your digital assets. Most wills do not include provisions concerning digital assets, as reported in the…
It’s Time to Stop Putting It Off and Put it in Writing
No one likes to consider their own death, or that of a loved one. But imagine having to cope with grief and loss at the same time that you have to tackle settling an estate, when there’s no plan in…
Talking About Your Estate Plan with Family
Being able to talk with your family about your estate plan is not easy, since the underlying subtext—your own eventual death—is difficult for parents and adult children. However, by having these frank discussions, you eliminate stress and often, promote a…
Would You Be Prepared to Become “Suddenly Single”?
We all know that someday we and our spouses will die, but knowing that and being prepared for what comes when one becomes suddenly single, either because of an unexpected death or divorce, is daunting, particularly for women. Among the…
Not Sure How to Handle a Large Inheritance?
The responsibility of a large inheritance is one that many people take very seriously. Sometimes, this can be a stressful situation, even though that sounds unlikely. Maybe you buy the occasional lottery ticket or hope for a windfall from a…
Asking the Wrong Question About When to Retire
Deciding when you should retire should be guided by a number of factors, including when you can afford to retire and if you have a plan of what to do with the rest of your life. In an ideal world,…
Estate Planning Requires Ongoing Maintenance for Top Performance
Everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of your level of net worth. Think of your estate plan like a car: it needs ongoing service to keep running smoothly. One of the key functions of an estate plan is to distribute…
Are You Prepared for Health Care Costs During Retirement?
People think that Medicare covers all of their health care after they retire. However, there are many gaps and you’ll need to get the timing right on what insurance products to buy and when to buy them. Medicare does not…
Avoid These Four Retirement Snafus
Miss these four factors and even the best retirement plan will fall apart fast. Spare yourself and your loved ones the high costs and stress that take many people by surprise. If you don’t plan for these big four elements…