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Why Is It Important to have a Will?

Less than half of Americans have a will. Here's why it's critical to be among those who have taken the time to draft this important document.

Posted on: July 19, 2021

Can I Write a Perfect Will?

Talking about death is not the most fun thing to do, especially when yours is the main topic. For this reason, you may postpone writing your will. You still have to write your will, if you want particular people to be in charge of your belongings after you pass away.

Posted on: July 16, 2021

Who Receives an Inherited IRA after the Beneficiary Passes?

What happens if a non-spouse beneficiary inherits an IRA account but dies before the money is put in her name. There were no contingent beneficiaries. Which estate would get the IRA?

Posted on: July 15, 2021

What are Typical Estate Planning Documents?

If you want loved ones to remember you fondly, tackle your estate planning tasks. Your heirs will thank you for not leaving a legal mess to sort out.

Posted on: July 14, 2021

What Is the Required Minimum Distribution for 2021?

Whether you need to take required minimum distributions to live or find them to be a nuisance, here are some tips to make the most of withdrawing these funds.

Posted on: July 13, 2021

Can I Be Sure My Estate Plan Works?

Your estate plan is much more likely to be successful, when you recognize and avoid the most common mistakes and take some key actions that often are overlooked.

Posted on: July 12, 2021

Is a Handwritten Will a Smart Idea?

A holographic will is a will handwritten by the testator (the maker of a will). Holographic wills are recognized in about half of the states in the United States.

Posted on: July 9, 2021

When Should an Estate Plan Be Reviewed?

The documents may still be valid but if they are stale or outdated, you may spend significant money trying to use them down the road.

Posted on: July 8, 2021

Short-Cuts to Estate Planning can Lead to Costly Consequences

Over the years I get all kinds of questions from people. And boy, have I heard some doozies. But one common one I get is called the ‘lazy (or poor) man's (or woman's’) estate planning.’ This type of estate planning has some very negative tax consequences.

Posted on: July 7, 2021

Can Family Members Contest a Will?

The death of a loved one results in an emotional grief that, when combined with large sums of money on the line, can cause the beneficiaries of the will or trust or the heirs of the deceased to challenge the validity, interpretation, or administration of the will or trust.

Posted on: July 6, 2021