One of the reasons people delay creating an estate plan and trusts, is that they don’t know who to name as a trustee. That’s not a good reason to put off something this important. Your trustee may be in charge…
If you don’t remember the last time you reviewed your will, checked your beneficiaries on insurance policies or retirement accounts, that’s a big red flag: it’s time. There have been many changes in recent years to the laws that affect…
The rules for distribution notification depend upon a number of factors: is there a will or are the estate assets being distributed outside of probate? What if there’s no will? If a person dies with a will, their will must…
It’s likely that the months ahead will see some big changes to IRA and RMD requirements. There’s just no way to know when all of this will occur, especially now that the summer is upon us and Washington prepares for…
Whether you are thinking about life-long finances or planning for retirement, it’s always a good idea to discuss ideas and strategies with a professional. When it comes to an estate plan, your best bet is an attorney who focuses their…
There was a time when irrevocable trusts were truly irrevocable. However, some states now offer ways to make changes—as long as you follow the rules carefully. Warning: penalties for mistakes can be significant, so work with an estate planning attorney…
Communication between family members before their parent’s pass can sometimes prevent family feuds over possessions, whether they are million-dollar Picassos or a celebrity’s dog dish. Christie’s auction house in New York was the setting for an auction of hundreds of…
People who depend upon each other take their responsibilities seriously. For a family, that includes more than just making sure everyone gets up and out the door in the morning. An estate plan is part of preparing for life’s realities.…
Do Americans donate to charity because they want to, or for the tax benefits? Unfortunately for the non-profit sector, the numbers for 2018 reflect a downward turn. Americans gave generously in 2018, unless you adjust for inflation. If you do…
An outreach campaign created to boost awareness of the problem of financial elder abuse was announced by District Attorney Summer Stephen. The DA also reminded employees of the city’s financial institutions that they have responsibilities as legally mandated reporters. The…