Essential Estate Planning Strategies
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Found 120 Articles.
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Can You Afford these Estate Planning Mistakes?
In Part 1 of this article, we reviewed some classic Estate Planning mistakes that are fairly common among retirees. Today, let’s continue the discussion with four more oversights, so you can evaluate your own estate planning process. Leaving assets outright to adult children. Many people believe trusts are needed only when minor children inherit. […]
The 7 “Action Steps” Missing from Your Estate Planning Strategy
Most people, especially those with at least modest wealth, have engaged in some Estate Planning. Yet few people have complete plans. More likely than not, your estate plan is going to have gaps. There are plenty of anecdotes to support the statement, but there is also concrete evidence. I regularly see surveys of either estate […]
The Charitable Remainder Trust: How to Protect & Stretch Your IRA
The number of people naming charitable trusts as IRA beneficiaries is climbing, and for good reasons. Typically, IRA beneficiaries are individuals, often the surviving spouse or the adult children of the owner. The goal often is to create a Stretch IRA, with the beneficiary taking only required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year so the tax-deferred […]
The “Financial Emergency Kit” Every Estate Planing Strategy Needs (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this article I talked about the importance of having a Financial Emergency Kit, along with a few of its essential elements. So this week, let’s continue the discussion and review the other important elements that make up your Financial Emergency Kit, starting with: A letter of instruction, which can be valuable […]
The Financial Emergency Kit: How to Build a Complete Estate Planning Strategy
Many people think they have estate plans… but oftentimes it turns out they really don’t. I’m not talking about those who haven’t done any planning and don’t even have a basic will. I’m talking about people who have taken action on their estate plans — and yet have plans that are woefully incomplete. You see, […]
Estate Planning Without Wills & Trusts – Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, I shared some of the avenues through which you can ensure transfer of assets without the need for wills and trusts. So this week, let’s continue the discussion with more ways to avoid probate and transfer property… starting with: Bank accounts. Though once obscure, payable on death (POD) bank accounts […]
How to Manage Your Estate Planning without Wills & Trusts
You might be surprised to learn that many Estate Planning goals can be accomplished without wills and trusts. In fact, using other tools can spare you some of the expense and complications of wills and trusts. These strategies also cause the assets to avoid the delay and expense of probate, transferring the title of each […]
Estate Planning to Improve Your Financial Power of Attorney
It’s one of the most overlooked and understated pieces in most peoples’ estate plans… The Power of Attorney. And it’s so much more than simply deciding who manages your affairs when you can’t. So today let’s review more tips on how to navigate this vital step in the estate planning process. Which actions can the […]