While joint accounts can be useful in certain circumstances, they can have dire consequences if not used properly. Adding a loved one to a bank account can expose you to their creditors and affect Medicaid planning.
Wills and trusts are foundational estate planning tools. While each is used to distribute your hard-earned assets to your loved ones, they do so in different ways. Each also has its own distinct uses and advantages.
When a loved one passes away, it’s important to get a death certificate. This document is necessary to handle the financial and legal affairs of the deceased person.
Today, an increasing number of people are planning their own funerals or memorial services. They may also designate their funeral preferences in detail and sometimes even pay for a funeral ceremony in advance.
Nearly one-third of young adults don’t have a budget, which creates a huge stumbling block for financial success. Give your children the tools they need to control their money instead of wondering where it went.
AARP reports that Baby Boomers are the generation with the highest divorce rates. Divorce among older adults in the United States has been on the rise since 1990. By 2019, 36 percent of divorces involved people 50 and older.
Storing important documents in digital form provides convenient copies that can be accessed by trusted individuals involved in your estate planning. They will also need access to online accounts in emergencies.
Owners of high-net-worth estates typically monitor and amend their estate plans regularly. They understand that the responsibility of financial stewardship will ensure continued wealth for many generations.
Many executors don’t understand the probate process and leave the tasks to the lawyer. While the executor has a fiduciary duty to protect the heirs’ interests, does the lawyer? It depends on your state.
Four in 10 people believe they do not have enough assets to make a will, according to a new survey. This statistic reflects a common misconception about estate planning: that it is only for the wealthy.