estate planning

Many married couples fall into the “portability trap.” They fail to file an IRS form after one spouse dies and accidentally forfeit a massive federal …

As an estate planning attorney, I know that advance medical directives are critical – but my experience with my mother deepened my conviction to help …

Everyone needs a will, but some people need more than that. To save on taxes and make for a smooth transition, they could really use a revocable trust…

It’s something you need to fully grasp to effectively pass down your wealth to the next generation (if you’re well off) – or avoid running out of mone…

A trust can solve a lot of problems. But like all tools, it can also be misused.

Over 15 million lawsuits are filed annually in this country. Are your liquid assets protected? An asset protection trust could help. Here’s how.

Living trusts don't reduce estate taxes or negate the need for a will. But a charitable trust does provide tax benefits.

A successful plan to pass wealth on to future generations takes effective communication delivered with a dose of sensitivity.

The pandemic has proved that preparation is critical, so if you’re ready to get your estate in order, here’s where to start.

Don’t be like Bob. After his divorce, he failed to update his estate plan, which listed his stepdaughter as a beneficiary.

Who will feed Fifi once you’re gone? It's something you should probably put in writing. There are three different ways to do that, some offering more …

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with hearts and flowers, but for those with non-grantor trusts, there’s another symbol that could be associated with it:…

Anyone with a child or grandchild with a disability needs to pull out their will and make sure the way it’s written doesn’t unintentionally keep someo…

Homes are illiquid assets that produce no income and come with ongoing costs for upkeep. Those issues can cause some snags with your trust.

Six years of legal wrangling later, Prince’s estate is finally moving forward. Here are five critical mistakes he made that all of us can learn from.

There are several ways to pass on a vacation home down to your loved ones, and they all come with some pros and cons to consider.

Seeking a guardianship for a loved one is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Here's how the process works.

You can use a charitable remainder trust to help support causes you love and leave money to heirs in a way that mimics the old "stretch" IRA.

A revocable living trust is a great tool to help your assets pass smoothly to your beneficiaries, and it can significantly reduce the headaches of pr…

A personal story from a financial planner’s own family illustrates the importance of being prepared … and what happens when your parents aren’t.

Online accounts and digital media are valuable, and they could be misused, locked up or even lost if you don’t take the right steps. Your estate plan …

This is an important question to ask, because the answer could tell you whether you need to worry about estate taxes, beneficiary issues or probate co…

If you really want to help your heirs out, these are some of the best assets to leave them.

As the estate tax exemption amount increases, fewer estates are subject to the federal tax.

An owner's illness or death is a common reason for a pet being given up. However, here are some steps you can take to ensure your beloved companion is…

Even those who have saved and invested well may not be sharing their financial information with a spouse or loved one. It’s time to do that now.