I regularly have people come into my office and say “My estate is simple” and think that not much work will be involved in planning their estate. Their estate plan is usually anything but simple. What you may think is …
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Seven Most Common Trust Mistakes
You may have a revocable or living trust in your estate plan. Living trusts are very powerful planning tools that you can use for all kinds of purposes. Trusts can avoid probate, or provide for your family cottage, your favorite …
Importance of Funding Your Trust
You brought home your brand new trust. It sure looks great. It may be in a shiny new binder with tabs and everything. But how do you know it is going to work? Your trust is a financial vehicle, and …
The Stuff People Fight Over
You may have that special ring that you want your daughter to have after you are gone. Or you may have Grandma’s antique bureau that your son has always admired. You may want Auntie’s antique silver tea set to go …
Unraveling the Mysteries of Annuities
You may have invested some or all of your nest egg in annuities. Annuities can be useful tools as part of a diversified investment portfolio. However, if you put all of your investable assets in annuities, this is putting all …
Top Estate Planning Misconceptions
As you go through life, you probably have found that there is no shortage of people who want to give you estate planning advice. This may include your friends. The likelihood is that you realize that these friends are not …
Providing for Special Needs Children
You may have a special needs child who is developmentally disabled and/or legally incapacitated. As a result of this disability or incapacity, your child may also be on some form of governmental assistance such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. …
Is Your Home an Asset or Liability
Home ownership, the American dream, or is it? The Federal Reserve recently reported that the falling real estate prices are eating away at home equity. The Fed says that the equity Americans have in their homes in the first quarter …
Essential Estate Planning Documents
You may think of estate planning as only death planning. However, estate planning also includes lifetime planning in the event of your mental incapacity. If you are like most people I have encountered, you would rather have your loved ones …
Medical Decision Making for Young Adult Children
It is the high school graduation season and now time for my annual column for young adults. If you have any adult high school or college aged children, they are responsible for making their own medical and mental healthcare decisions. …