It is no secret that a lot of people procrastinate when it comes to estate planning. The last thing that the procrastinators need is yet another reason to put things off, but in fact the uncertainty surrounding the estate tax parameters at the present time contributes to this pattern of inaction. To take a brief … [Read More]
Charitable Giving: Research Is Key
Though estate planning is vital for people of all ages, evaluating your legacy in detail is naturally going to become more relevant to you as you get older. Of course the primary objective is going to be to make sure that your family members are financially provided for, but there are other things to take … [Read More]
Steer Clear Of Estate Planning Misconceptions
When you examine the psychology behind it, people who engage in estate planning long before they would logically expect to pass away often look at it like a precaution rather than a carefully crafted plan. They hold it at arm’s-length to some extent and don’t really fully envision the implications of their eventual absence. Any … [Read More]
Have You Considered Possible Incapacity?
Comprehensive planning is the key to being prepared for any and all eventualities as you enter different phases of your life. Just keeping your fingers crossed with your head stuck in the sand is clearly not a very intelligent course of action, but unfortunately far too many people go this route. The average lifespan in … [Read More]
POD Accounts: The Pros & Cons
People who unwisely advocate do-it-yourself estate planning will try to point out some of the ways that you can transfer assets to your heirs simply. These individuals will often talk about payable on death or transfer on death accounts, but before you buy into their notions you would do well to understand the limitations of … [Read More]
Young Parents Have Added Responsibilities
If you think that estate planning is largely a geriatric endeavor you are not alone. Indeed, an alarming percentage of people who are under the age of 50 or so are totally unprepared for the future. And in fact, a significant segment of the population that is over 50 is unprepared as well but that … [Read More]
Ray Charles Estate Turbulence
The inimitable Ray Charles was one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, and he came along at just the right time to help to unify people with his diverse brand of soulful and inspiring music. To illustrate just how much influence Charles had, Rolling Stone magazine named him the 10th greatest musical artist … [Read More]
Trustee Has Fiduciary Responsibility
One of the reasons why some people shy away from the idea of utilizing a trust to arrange for the transfer of their assets eventually is because they don’t fully understand how these instruments work. They choose a last will instead, assuming that this is a simple and direct way to arrange for asset transfers. … [Read More]
See The Big Picture With Legacy Planning
Some individuals try to get by doing the bare minimum, and when it comes to estate planning a very high percentage of people don’t even do that. If you include adults of all ages most people have not executed the necessary estate planning documents, and this is truly something that needs to change. On the … [Read More]
Fostering A Resonant Family Dynamic
People sometimes discuss estate planning with rose-colored glasses on, assuming that all families are comprised of people who always agree about everything. In fact, the typical family is going to try to maintain a harmonious dynamic but it can sometimes be challenging because of the diverse personalities that comprise the family. This is something to … [Read More]
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