Now that so much of our lives are lived online, we need a plan to prevent the loss of digital assets that include treasured family memories, financial accounts and, in some cases, entire businesses. The loss of a spouse creates…
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it has increased access to Medicare telehealth services. This means that Medicare beneficiaries can receive more benefits from their doctors without having to…
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.…