For most people, thinking about estate planning means focusing on what will happen to their money after they pass away. But that misses one pretty significant consideration: the need to plan for long-term care.
The last thing any of us want to contend with when a health issue arises later in life is having to throw together a hasty estate planning solution in the face of mounting medical costs. Your best defense is careful planning with the help of a trusted expert.
Your home is where you should feel the most comfortable. It’s where you and your loved ones have made the most memories, and where you likely envisioned spending the rest of your life. As we get older, however, it can become more difficult to live independently. Our senses, our minds and our bodies aren’t what they used to be — making even the simplest household tasks more strenuous and dangerous. Because we value our independence and want to continue living in the homes we’ve known for so long, it’s imperative for seniors to understand how to continue living safely on their own.
Most parents want to make sure their children are provided for in the event something happens to them while the children are still minors. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and good friends sometimes want to leave gifts to beloved young children too. Unfortunately, good intentions and poor planning often have unintended results. Don’t make these common, expensive mistakes. Instead, here’s how to both protect and provide for the children you love.
When considering how to leave assets to adult children, the first step is to decide how much each one should receive. Most parents want to treat their children fairly, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they should receive equal shares of your estate. For example, it may be desirable to give more to a child who is a teacher than to one who has a successful business, or to “compensate” a child who has been a primary caregiver.
