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.
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.
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…
Organize Your Important Papers and Get Personal and Financial Affairs in Order

The first step in getting your affairs in order is to gather up all your important personal, financial and legal information, so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now and your loved ones later.
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.
Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families

Estate planning for blended families presents unique challenges. Unlike traditional family structures, reports Barrons recent article titled, “When Remarrying Creates a Blended Family: Advice From Financial Pros,” blended families often involve complex relationships and diverse financial backgrounds, making the process of estate and financial planning more intricate. This article has tips for blended families on identifying overall estate planning goals and concerns and identifying heirs to protect your new family and future.
Navigating the Financial Journey Living to 100

In an era where living to 100 is becoming increasingly likely, financial planning for retirement takes on a new level of complexity.
Rethinking Retirement

When contemplating retirement, a review of the past, present, and future highlights the relatively recent and complex evolution of this modern concept.