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.
When Should I Update My Will?

There are some obvious triggers that might prompt you to update your will, such as changes in health or marital status. There are, however, also some not-so-obvious ones to be aware of, according to financial planners and attorneys.
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.
Do We Need Estate Planning?

Everyone, regardless of financial status or age, can benefit from having an estate plan—assuming you have assets to leave and people to leave them to.
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.
How Do I Protect My Spouse and My Children in a Second Marriage?

Who’s going to inherit on the death of one of the re-marrieds? Will this be the surviving spouse? If so, where will those inherited monies go on the second-to-die’s death?
What are the Federal and Gift Tax Exemptions for 2024?

The federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions and the annual exclusion from gift tax are historically high due to a temporary increase under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even those with the best of intentions can fall into the trap of estate planning misinformation. Estate planning attorneys frequently hear rumors and ill advice disguised as facts.