Why are Beneficiary Designations Important in Estate Planning?

Vanguard has sent me a beneficiary designation verification letter. For the primary beneficiary, it says it will be the person I am married to at the time of my death. For the secondary beneficiary, it says, my descendants “per stirpes.” I have one child. Should the beneficiary designation include his name?
Does My Family Have to Pay My Credit Card Debt When I Die?

Especially with the average U.S. household having $7,027 in revolving credit card debt and Americans owing a total of $416.1 billion in credit card debt, according to a recent Nerdwallet study, some Americans will have credit card debt for the rest of their lives. However, what happens to credit card debt when you die?
Are Childhood Collections Part of Your Estate Planning?

COVID-19 has altered how we spend our time. Most forms of socialization were scaled back or continued virtually. The forced isolation reignited a passion for hobbies and collecting.
Have You Made a Living Will?

A living will is a legal document that allows you to specify the kind of care you’d like to receive in end-of-life situations. This is different from an advance healthcare directive, though either one can be an important part of an estate plan.
Does Living Trust Help with Probate and Inheritance Taxes?

I was told that unlike wills, a trust doesn’t require probate and is not taxable. My main asset is a house that I want to pass on to my son. Would a living trust help?
If Your Spouse Is Seriously Ill, Get Your Estate Plan in Order

Planning for the death of a spouse is difficult and painful. It involves conversations that we don’t want to have.