Estate Planning
Does Your Estate Plan Have All The Needed Pieces?
Posted on December 6, 2022
According to a recent poll, only 46 percent of adults in the United States have a will. Even fewer have comprehensive estate plans. A last will and testament is the fundamental estate planning instrument. Through a will, you can specify who will receive your assets, personal possessions, and real estate after you pass away. You can also name a guardian for your minor children in the event that you and the other parent pass away before the children are adults. Without a valid will, state law determines how your property […]
Get Your Charitable Giving Done Before The New Year
Posted on December 1, 2022
There are so many worthwhile charitable causes you can contribute to that help people, animals, and the environment in many needed ways. Helping others is part of being human – it makes the world a better place for all of us. There are also tax advantages associated with charitable giving that can help you financially. So, it is truly a win-win situation. There is still time to get your charitable giving before the end of the year so it qualifies on your upcoming tax return. Read on to learn about […]
Talk About Death Openly To Make Things Easier For Your Loved Ones
Posted on November 29, 2022
Many people shy away from discussing death openly, but it is something that should be talked about as a part of life. Talking about your eventual passing ensures that everyone who cares about you knows how to best deal with things once you do pass away. Death can happen to anyone at any time, so it is important to have some ideas regarding funeral and burial services and what you want to be done for your children, pets, and important assets. When loved ones understand your wishes, they do not […]
Should Your Home Be In A Trust?
Posted on November 15, 2022
When property is held in a trust, the grantor gives another party, called a trustee, the right to control and manage the property for the benefit of a third party, called a beneficiary. A trust can be created during the grantor’s lifetime or after his or her death. Trusts are valuable estate planning tools with a wide range of possible uses. Trusts can be used to control how property is managed and distributed, minimize estate taxes, bypass probate, protect assets from creditors, and more. Some people put their homes in […]
Plan How To Best Distribute Items To Family And Friends
Posted on November 8, 2022
One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is detailed information about how to distribute your property upon your death. It can be a daunting task for surviving loved ones to take care of things once you have passed away. The more information you can provide in advance, the better. You may wish to leave some decisions to their discretion but leave detailed directions for certain items. The specifics are up to you, but getting a blueprint from you will help your loved ones get through the process […]
Reduce Tax Burdens With Smart Estate Planning
Posted on October 18, 2022
One of the key aspects of strategic estate planning is reducing the amount of taxes you pay. You worked hard to acquire and keep the assets you accumulated over your lifetime and any money that goes to taxes is money that does not go to your loved ones. If you are like most people creating an estate plan, you want to minimize the amount of taxes your heirs have to pay as much as possible. “Do it yourself” estate planning services often seem appealing to individuals hoping to draft estate […]
Retirement Planning Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan
Posted on October 11, 2022
Retirement planning is critical, and should ideally be started long in advance of your actual retirement date. By incorporating retirement planning into your overall estate plan, you can ensure that all your assets are properly handled and that necessary things like beneficiaries, transfer of ownership, and tax protection are in place for when you retire and also for when you pass away. For business owners, retirement planning is even more important. Retirement accounts and pensions must be addressed properly and thoroughly during retirement planning. There is an art to protecting […]
Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies
Posted on October 4, 2022
After a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. There is so much going on, and most people are not in the right mindset to be handling financial and estate matters after the death of a family member. Many people in this situation get overwhelmed and accidentally miss important steps. If someone close to you has recently passed away, make sure to address the following concerns. Tasks After a Family Member Passes Away If a very close friend, spouse, parent, sibling, or other loved […]
What Happens to Your Property If You Die With A Mortgage?
Posted on September 22, 2022
Whether you are creating your own estate plans or a relative has recently passed away, dealing with estate planning matters can be confusing and overwhelming. If you are like most people, you are probably filled with questions. One of the most pressing questions is what happens to a deceased person’s financial obligations. For example, if someone still has a mortgage when they pass away, what happens to the property? Does the executor sell the property? What if there are other individuals still living in the home? What Happens to Debts […]
How Do You Include Non-Family Members In Your Will?
Posted on September 8, 2022
Many assume that heirs named in a will are always direct blood relatives of the testator. However, for many, the most important individuals in their lives are not relatives. Furthermore, some people no longer have living relatives. If you have people in your life who are deeply important to you but are not family members, you may be wondering how to include them in your will. There are a few different ways to do this, and the best way for you may depend on your specific circumstances. Proper estate planning […]
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Please note: These blogs have been created over a period of time and laws and information can change. For the most current information on a topic you are interested in please seek proper legal counsel.
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