Preventing Family Feuds Over Your Personal Belongings
The passing of a loved one is a heartbreaking event, filled with grief and sorrow. But the aftermath can become even more painful if disagreements over their personal belongings tear your family apart. These disputes, especially when centered around meaningful objects, can leave lasting wounds that may never fully heal. But it doesn’t have to […]
Matthew Perry’s Estate Plan Demonstrates the Benefits of Trusts
When Matthew Perry, the beloved star of Friends, passed away last year, the world mourned the loss of a comedic icon. However, as details of his estate began to emerge, a curious puzzle presented itself: despite his reported net worth of $120 million, his bank account held (only) $1.5 million. Admittedly, this seems like a […]
What Do Lasagna and Estate Planning Have in Common?
Have you ever heard horror stories about families fighting over Grandma’s jewelry or getting stuck in a never-ending legal battle after someone passes away? Or about how long it can take to sell a house tied up in the court process? What about family members being denied their inheritance completely? Unfortunately, these situations happen every […]
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Creating Your Estate Plan With AI
Have you jumped on the AI bandwagon yet? If so, you’ve probably used it to make your life easier. AI can be incredibly helpful, especially when the stakes are low. Need a personalized meal plan or an exercise routine? AI can handle that. But when it comes to estate planning, some people use AI for […]
Labor Day Reflections and Your Legacy
Labor Day, observed in the United States on the first Monday in September, is not only the unofficial end of summer but also a celebration of the contributions and achievements of American workers. Originating from the labor movement and the quest for better working conditions, Labor Day also provides an opportunity to think about your […]
How Beneficiary Designations Put Your Family at Risk
You’ve worked hard to build your assets and secure your family’s future. Like many responsible adults, you’ve named beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and maybe even your banking and investment accounts. It feels good to know you’ve put something in place for your loved ones. But here’s the truth many financial advisors, […]
Would $23,000 Make a Difference to You?
Imagine discovering thousands of dollars that belong to you, only to be told you can’t have it. This frustrating scenario became a reality for a woman named Dale Benerofe, a Georgia resident, when she found $23,000 in unclaimed property from her deceased parents. Her tragic story sheds light on a little-known issue that affects millions of Americans: […]
Would You Make This Million Dollar Mistake?
Imagine this: You’re in your twenties, just starting your career. You fill out a form at work, naming your live-in significant other as the beneficiary of your retirement account. You start contributing to your retirement account, and it begins to grow. Fast forward 28 years – you’ve long since ended that relationship, lived a full […]
Celebrity Estate Plans Series Part 4 of 4: Elvis and the Scammers
For the last few weeks, we’ve discussed celebrities and how they planned for their deaths. We started with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, so ending our 4-part series with the King of Rock, Elvis Presley, seems fitting. You may be wondering why I’ve chosen to talk about a man who’s been dead since 1977. […]
Celebrity Estate Plans Series Part 3 of 4: Jay Leno’s Case is No Laughing Matter
For the last two weeks, we’ve discussed celebrities and how they planned (or didn’t!) for their deaths. In this third installment of our four-part celebrity series, we discuss a topic that no one wants to think about as it may seem to be a fate worse than death: incapacity. Unlike death, not everyone will become […]