National Health Care Decisions Day Inspires Vital Conversations

National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16th. Take this opportunity to talk with your loved ones about your healthcare wishes.
Estate Planning Checklist for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Estate planning is more than writing a will; it’s a plan to manage and distribute assets to your dependents. It documents your healthcare preferences, so a loved one decides on medical care according to your wishes. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) Adviser’s article, “Estate Planning Guide and Checklist for 2024,” offers a comprehensive overview of what to consider when planning your estate. This blog post distills the key points from the article and provides an actionable checklist for 2024. Understanding Estate Planning Estate planning organizes your affairs to fulfill your wishes after you pass away. It encompasses decisions about…
Seniors Be Careful: Elder Financial Exploitation More than Doubled Since COVID

While we all hope to age gracefully, we need to prepare for the potential risks of aging as it relates to investing and financial wellbeing.
How Do Special Needs Trusts Work?

Protect your adult children with disabilities using a special needs trust.
Is There More to Estate Planning Than Writing My Will?

One reason for having a will is to make sure your wishes are carried out. If you die “intestate” (without a will), your assets will be distributed by state law, not by your desires.
Post-Divorce Tax Planning for Women

The early part of the year is often referred to as “divorce season,” since it’s a popular time for couples to part ways. Regardless of when it happens, divorce is a significant time of change for women in many aspects, especially when it comes to their finances and money management.
Estate Planning Disaster: Divorce, Death and Missed Details

After the divorce, Mike logged onto the employer’s benefits system and tried, but failed, to delete Wendy as the beneficiary of his life insurance.
How to Be an Effective Advocate for Elderly Parents

As family caregivers, we play many roles: scheduler, money manager, house cleaner, health aide, nurse, navigator, nurturer and more. Perhaps the most important role, though, is advocate, as we ensure the best life possible for our loved ones when they are vulnerable.
How Marital Trusts Help Protect Blended Families

Understanding marital trusts is crucial for couples looking to secure their financial future and provide for the surviving spouse tax-efficiently. This article is a guide to marital trusts, how they work and their advantages and disadvantages. With the potential to safeguard assets and ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries, marital trusts can be an effective part of a comprehensive estate plan, particularly for those in a second marriage or a blended family. What Is a Marital Trust? A marital trust is a type of irrevocable trust and is crafted to benefit…
Write a Letter of Instruction for Loved Ones

Executors can use additional information in administering estates, especially if the executor is unrelated to the decedent.