Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance, but it does not have to be that way. Many families have worked through the details of divvying up a deceased relative’s property remarkably well and ended up even closer. Having counseled families for years, we offer the following advice […]
Passing Your Stories and Values to Future Generations Money tends to be focus of an estate plan, but the one’s riches of wisdom, values and experiences, can be more meaningful to their family and friends. Reinforcement of family traditions can be built into your estate plan alongside your wishes regarding your money, property, and belongings. After […]
Genealogy has long fascinated many people, and it continues to be studied by those who are interested in discovering who they descended from and what those family members were like. Many of us have gazed at black and white or sepia-tone photos of ancestors whose names we don’t know and wondered about their lives, joys, trials, […]
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. It will have a positive impact for many older Americans but could have negative tax consequences for many beneficiaries […]
Whether you have accumulated a little or a lot of wealth over your lifetime, it is likely that you have some particular thoughts on how you would like those assets to be used by loved ones after your death. Maybe you would like the assets to be used as a down payment on a home, be […]
While saying the words “I love you” is indeed romantic, you should know that putting together a well-crafted estate plan is a concrete way to care for your family in the long run. This is because doing so will help prevent your surviving family members from scrambling to figure out what to do next while they […]
When a loved one suffers from a mental illness, one small comfort can be knowing that your trust can take care of them through thick and thin. There are many ways this can happen- ranging from the funding of various types of treatment to providing structure and support during his or her times of greatest need. […]
Intergenerational estate planning is important. This type of planning is about more than just helping one generation build as much wealth as possible. These plans help prepare heirs to both manage and preserve those assets into the future for long-lasting enjoyment. Below are five steps that can facilitate successful estate planning for generations. 1. Get the […]
When it comes to estate planning there are several types of tools you can use, depending on your circumstances. One such estate planning tool is the trust. There are numerous types of trusts aimed at fulfilling different estate planning purposes. If you are anticipating an inheritance, there is a special type of trust designed to help […]
Receiving an inheritance is a huge blessing but, if not handled properly, can also become a curse. Often times, the inheritor does not know what to do with the new asset and runs into financial trouble, squandering most, if not all of it. This could happen due to the inheritor having outstanding creditor issues or tax […]
