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What Is the HEMS Standard?

The ‘HEMS’ (health, education, maintenance, support) standard in estate planning is used to guide trustees in how/when they should release funds to a beneficiary.

Posted on: February 8, 2022

What Is Elder Law?

Estate Planning may not be something you necessarily WANT to think about, but it could protect your interests and wishes long after you are gone.

Posted on: February 7, 2022

Will Moving to a New State Impact My Estate Planning?

However, if you are retired and no longer generating employment income, you should make sure you weigh the financial implications of any potential move.

Posted on: February 4, 2022

What’s the First Step in Estate Planning?

For young professionals finding their way in the world and just beginning the journey of building wealth, death can seem like a far-off abstraction. However, the cold reality is that no one ever knows what’s around the corner — health problems and freak accidents can happen at virtually any time.

Posted on: February 3, 2022

Should I Place My Home in a Trust?

Part of being a responsible homeowner is having a proper estate plan in place. After all, considering the home is generally the largest asset most people own, it's prudent to ensure this asset is passed to the people you wish to leave it to.

Posted on: February 2, 2022

When Do I Need to Review My Will?

Whether you drew up a will recently or years ago, keep in mind it’s generally not something you can set and forget.

Posted on: February 1, 2022

What Happens to IRAs and 401(k) when Spouse Dies?

The rise in the stock market over the past several years, teamed with the passage of the SECURE Act two years ago and the scheduled 50% reduction in the size of the federal estate tax exemption four years from now, has resulted in a renewed interest in estate planning for IRA and 401k accounts owned by married couples.

Posted on: January 31, 2022

a beautiful white house with blue rooftop and lush garden

Is Your Home Your Largest Asset or Biggest Liability?

Could generations of traditional homeownership wisdom be wrong? Here's what you need to know to determine whether your home is an investment that will pay off in retirement—or a liability.

Posted on: January 28, 2022

What are Biggest Blunders in Wealth Transfer?

We are approaching the biggest wealth transfer ever, as Baby Boomers prepare to hand off their life savings to their heirs. However, will their heirs actually get the full amount of the wealth intended for them…or will a large amount be lost to unnecessary taxes?

Posted on: January 27, 2022

What Is Considered an Asset in an Estate?

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 concerns.

Posted on: January 26, 2022