What Is an Advance Directive?
What Is an Advance Directive? It is a legal document that explains how you want medical decisions about you to be made if you cannot make the decisions yourself. It is used to guide your health care team and loved…
Another Inflation Stress: Rising Costs of Senior-Living Homes Strain Families
Another Inflation Stress: Rising Costs of Senior-Living Homes Strain Families Inflation is fueling cost increases at nursing homes and assisted-living and independent-living facilities, which is tough for seniors on fixed incomes. Eldercare facilities are raising prices and adding new…
JPMorgan Ends Use of Safe Deposit Boxes
JPMorgan Ends Use of Safe Deposit Boxes Safe deposit boxes, a longtime fixture at banks worldwide, will soon be a thing of the past at one major banking chain. As Bloomberg News reported Friday (Sept. 30), JPMorgan Chase has begun to phase out the…
The Queen’s clothes and jewels: Who inherits her enormous collection?
The Queen’s clothes and jewels: Who inherits her enormous collection? Queen Elizabeth’s $447 million fortune is set to be split among members of her family following her death earlier this month at the age of 96. But royal watchers are wondering what…
Executor & Trustee Guidelines
Executor & Trustee Guidelines If you have been named executor of a will or trustee of a trust, these guidelines can help you understand what's expected of you in the process. The executor (sometimes referred to as executrix for females)…
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2022
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2022 As the estate tax exemption amount increases, fewer estates are subject to the federal tax. The federal estate tax exemption is going up again for 2022. The amount is adjusted each year…
What Assets Should Be Included in Your Trust?
What Assets Should Be Included in Your Trust? A revocable living trust is a great tool to help your assets pass smoothly to your beneficiaries, and it can significantly reduce the headaches of probate. However, while some assets belong in…
Timeshare Inheritance: Why Inheriting That Beautiful Timeshare Can Bust Your Wallet
Timeshare Inheritance: Why Inheriting That Beautiful Timeshare Can Bust Your Wallet. While that timeshare interest may seem idyllic, it can also come with a hefty roster of fees and assessments, enough to turn what seems like a vacation opportunity into…
Estate Planning for Blended Families – (Hint: It’s not a very Brady world.)
Estate Planning for Blended Families – (Hint: It’s not a very Brady world.) Yes, I suppose they fit the broad definition of a blended family, but the story of the “lovely lady” and a “man named Brady” was, of course, simply…
How to Disinherit an Heir
How to Disinherit an Heir So you’ve decided that a family member won’t be getting an inheritance, after all. Maybe you have an ungrateful or irresponsible family member you want to cut out of the will. Or maybe there’s…