Estate Planning Blog

Recent studies estimate that 39.6% of Americans 65 years of age or older are victims of financial abuse.

Inheriting an IRA from a parent has a unique set of rules you need to know, which will help you make the most of the money you inherit and avoid a tax-time surprise.

For larger estates, a revocable trust is generally the most effective tool for avoiding probate. It involves some setup costs. However, it allows you to manage the disposition of all of your wealth in one document, while retaining control and reserving the right to modify your plan.

Do my husband’s minor children from a prior marriage have any rights to any marital assets acquired during our marriage in the event he dies before me?

Most people have heard that each individual is allowed to gift $15,000 per year to another person without paying a gift tax. However, exactly what the gift tax is, and the consequences of going beyond $15,000, are less clear.

Social Security benefits serve an essential role in most Americans’ retirement plans. Yet many people — even soon-to-be retirees — know little about how the program works or how to get the most from the benefits they’ve earned.

It can be easy to overlook, but an estate plan is essential for nearly everyone, whether you have a lot of money or just a little. An estate plan tells your heirs and the courts how to divide up your assets. However, it also helps protect your loved ones from unnecessary hassle and expense – as well as potentially months, even years, tied up in the court system settling your estate.

Life is messy sometimes. Divorce, bankruptcies and lawsuits happen. They can potentially wipe out the inheritance you’ve carefully set aside for your loved ones. However, there are many trust options to help keep life from ruining your legacy.

As retirees live longer, many worry about outliving their savings. However, many older Americans haven’t planned for a looming expense: the cost of long-term care.

When moving to a new state, you may have to sever some or all of your ties to your former state. Half measures can leave you open to tax claims by your former home state.