A payable-on-death (POD) account can be set up at your local financial institution. You may already have a savings account containing a significant amount of financial assets. You can convert this into a payable-on-debt account and choose a beneficiary. If you pass...
Estate Planning
The basics of creating your estate plan
An estate plan details how you want your assets to be distributed among beneficiaries after your death. It also involves appointing a trustworthy person who can make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. Having an estate plan in place is...
Protecting your elderly parents from financial exploitation
Financial exploitation of older adults is a growing concern. As our parents age, they may become more vulnerable to scams, fraud, and financial abuse. Advances in technology, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), make it even easier for scammers to...
2 strategies for reviewing your estate plan
One estate planning mistake that people make frequently is that they don’t review their plan once they put it in place. It is a problem to put off estate planning for too long, procrastinating and risking passing away without a plan. However, it is also an issue if...
Totten trusts are valuable in estate planning
Totten trusts, also known as payable-on-death accounts, are an effective estate planning tool that allows individuals to pass on assets without the complexities of probate. By incorporating Totten trusts into a comprehensive estate plan, individuals can ensure a...
What are revocable trusts?
Revocable trusts, which are also known as living trusts, are a cornerstone of comprehensive estate planning. They offer individuals a flexible and efficient way to manage their assets during their lifetime and after their passing. These trusts are classified as...
What are charitable trusts?
Many people have charities they want to support, and it’s possible to do that even after they pass away. Charitable trusts play a significant role in estate planning by offering a unique way for individuals to contribute to charitable causes while benefiting from...
Young adults need an estate plan too
Many people believe that estate planning is something that only the elderly or those with serious illnesses need to worry about. However, if you are 18 and over and earning a good income, it just makes sense to prepare for your future by creating an estate plan....
Why do many beneficiaries of immense wealth experience inheritor’s guilt?
It’s often uncomfortable for older generations to talk about wealth and inheritance. Unfortunately, even people who take time to establish an estate plan may fail to prepare their beneficiaries for what will happen when they pass on due to this discomfort. This leaves...
Older adults may need to plan to qualify for Medicaid coverage
Long-term care is one of the most pressing elder law needs. People all too often fail to plan for their comfort and care later in life. Many people in the golden years of their lives eventually have health challenges that they cannot manage on their own. They will...