If you are like most people, you probably have some specific wishes regarding your funeral and the disposition of your remains. You may want to be buried in a coffin with a burial vault in the ground. Or you may …
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Do Not Take Job of Trustee Too Lightly
You may have been named a successor trustee of your parent’s or your spouse’s trust. I am often asked the question by successor trustees, “What are my responsibilities?” Well your most important responsibility is what is called your fiduciary duty. …
Trust Protectors to the Rescue-bullets
So you have named your children as your successor trustees of your trust, the personal representative in your will or your financial power of attorney. You may have named your oldest child first as your financial agent because you think …
Planning Financially for Long Term Care
You may be taking care of elderly parents now or looking at that possibility in the near future. According to a report from USATODAY/ABCNews/Gallup Poll, 41% of baby boomers are helping take care of elderly parents by providing personal help …
Estate Assets Subject to the Deceased Creditors
In a previous column, we discussed what would happen if you died and your debts exceeded your assets. However, do you know what would happen if you did leave bank accounts or other assets? What debts would have to be …
New Tax Law Increases Tax Free Inheritance
You have all probably heard that on December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the 2010 Tax Relief Act, which is actually called the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The main purpose of this act …
Survivors Not Responsible for Deceased’s Debts
After a loved one dies and if they have really racked up the debts, the bill collectors start calling. They will often harass and hound the family in order to get payments made. If the family does not investigate their …
Younger Adults Need Planning Too
You may be a younger adult. If you are like most young adults, planning for your retirement is one of farthest things from your mind. Planning for your disability, death or other catastrophe is even farther from your mind. It …
Be Careful With Your Contribution
Tis’ the season to be jolly. Tis’ also the season for charities to be seeking your dollars. However, there are a whole lot more charities out there that are asking you for money than to which you could reasonably donate. …
Housing Options Numerous
You currently live in your own home. Although you can get along alright, things are not as easy as they used to be. You cannot climb up that ladder anymore to clear the leaves out of the gutters. Even simple …