A pour-over will is a particular kind of will created to work with a trust, with a goal of facilitating the transfer of assets if the person creating the trust (the grantor) has not transferred all of their assets into the trust. This happens more often than you’d think. How do you know if you … Continue reading What Is a Pour-Over Will?
Category: Beneficiary Designations
Does ‘Gray Divorce’ Fit into Estate Planning?
According to the Pew Research Center, the divorce rate has more than doubled for people over 50 since the 1990s. According to the AARP’s article entitled “Getting Divorced? It’s Time to Update Your Caregiving Plan.” A divorce can be financially draining. Moreover, later-in-life divorces frequently impact women’s finances more than men’s. That is because in addition … Continue reading Does ‘Gray Divorce’ Fit into Estate Planning?
What Is a TOD Beneficiary?
It’s possible to name a TOD beneficiary for many account types—retirement accounts, savings accounts and even brokerage accounts. This can help you and your heirs avoid the sometimes costly process of probate. You can name anyone. However, if you’re married, your spouse may have special rights over your assets that take precedence over your named … Continue reading What Is a TOD Beneficiary?
What If Your Spouse Refuses Estate Planning?
Blended families are quite common in the U.S. A married couple may have a small child—but one spouse may also have children from a first marriage. The spouse may be concerned about assets and protecting those older children in estate planning. A spouse on a second or third marriage may insist on a prenup with … Continue reading What If Your Spouse Refuses Estate Planning?
Yes, You Need a Will. Now.
Less than half of Americans have a will, or have any idea of how they would like to have their money and property handled at the time of their passing, according to an article titled “How to make a will and why you need one while you’re still alive” from Today. Why do you need a will? A … Continue reading Yes, You Need a Will. Now.
Estate Plans Can Protect against Exploitation
Financial exploitation is far more common than most people think, especially of the elderly. There are several types of individuals more at risk for exploitation, according to an article from mondaq titled “How An Estate Plan Can Protect Against Financial Exploitation.” These include someone with a cognitive impairment, in poor physical health, who is isolated or has a learning … Continue reading Estate Plans Can Protect against Exploitation
Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?
Everyone benefits from having an estate plan. If you own property, investments, or anything of value, you need an estate plan. If you have family or dependents, you need an estate plan. Estate planning directs how assets are directed, if you become incapacitated or when you die. The checklist for creating an estate plan includes … Continue reading Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?
The Benefits of a Good Estate Plan
If you don’t have a comprehensive estate plan, state law will control. That’s unlikely to that the state will do what you would choose to do. MSN’s article entitled “What is estate planning?” discusses the benefits of estate planning. Minimizes taxes. Clever structuring of flexible retirement accounts, such as a Roth IRA, can help funnel more tax-free money to … Continue reading The Benefits of a Good Estate Plan
Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes
Everyone should have an estate plan, whether it’s a simple will or a detailed and complex one with trusts and strategies for multiple generations. The more care and thought put into the plan, says an article, “5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid” from Kiplinger, the better the outcome. There are some common mistakes you can avoid with … Continue reading Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes
Is an Estate Plan Battle Looming?
Some people don’t create an estate plan before they die. Or, if they do, they failed to have an estate plan created with an experienced estate planning attorney and their will is unclear, or even invalid. They might die with debts conflicting with their wishes. These and other situations can lead to a long and … Continue reading Is an Estate Plan Battle Looming?