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This guide explains the most common types of power of attorney, how they work in real life, what can go wrong, and how to pick the right person to serve as your agent.

Personal items such as furniture or jewelry can’t be easily divided equally, often making their distribution the hardest part of settling an estate.

Estate planning is a practical antidote to a sense of uncertainty. It offers a way to regain control by replacing undefined financial and legal risks with clear, documented instructions and decision-makers for your money, property, and care.

Choosing MAID requires strict adherence to legal rules, and failing to follow them precisely can create serious problems for both the patient and their family’s estate plan.

Whether a surviving spouse automatically inherits a retirement account depends on its legal structure. Employer plans like 401(k)s generally default to the spouse due to federal law. IRAs do not have this automatic protection; the account goes to the specific beneficiary named on the form, who may or may not be the spouse.

To fight a discharge, you must immediately contact the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) by midnight on the day of your scheduled discharge while you are still in the hospital for an expedited appeal.

“Irrevocable” isn’t always final: While most trusts become “irrevocable” (unchangeable) after the creator (grantor) dies, this doesn’t mean they are totally untouchable.

To help prevent denials, make sure you thoroughly understand your policy, confirm that your care providers meet policy requirements, maintain detailed medical and care records, and accurately track the elimination period.

A trustee is a crucial position with significant responsibilities, and while they are chosen for their trustworthiness, they can be removed if they fail to uphold their duties.

The new One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently increases the GST exemption to $15 million per person starting in 2026 (up from $13.99 million in 2025), meaning most families will not be affected by this tax.

Through Trump Accounts, the federal government will provide a one-time seed contribution of $1,000 for eligible American children born between January 2025 through December 2028.

If you do not have this legal document in place, a court might have to appoint a conservator or guardian who would be granted the power to act on your behalf.

Taxpayers can deduct a portion of qualified LTCI premiums as a medical expense if total medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of their adjusted gross income.

Medicaid provides a safety net for long-term care, but requires strict limits on income and assets.

Probate laws and avoidance strategies, such as transfer-on-death deeds and joint ownership, vary significantly by state, making it crucial to understand local regulations and update plans regularly to prevent unintended probate.

Most Americans surveyed (57 percent) said they cannot cover a funeral without incurring debt.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the gift tax and estate tax exclusions for tax year 2026. These exclusion amounts are adjusted annually to account for changes in the cost of living. The following updates become effective January 1, 2026.

A recent federal court ruling reversed a rule that would have removed medical debt from credit reports, meaning this debt can continue to negatively impact credit scores.

Helping out family members is to be encouraged but can raise numerous legal issues involving taxes and eligibility for public benefits, as well as questions of fairness among family members. Here are six issues grandparents should consider before making gifts to loved ones.

Starting in 2026, employees aged 50 and older who earn over $145,000 must make 401(k) catch-up contributions on an after-tax (Roth) basis, losing the immediate pretax deduction.

Estate planning is about far more than just distributing assets; it’s about protecting your family, your wishes, and your legacy. Below are some of the most common myths about estate planning and the facts that debunk them.

What happens to your estate plan if you are now divorcing? Here are some key strategies to make sure your wishes are protected during and after the process of separation and divorce.

“Funding” a trust means transferring ownership of your accounts and property to the trust during your lifetime, or designating the trust as a beneficiary, which is crucial for the trust to function as intended and for your successor trustee to manage your affairs effectively.

Federal estate taxes are not a universal burden. They are only applicable if your combined assets, which include both gifts made during your lifetime and assets transferred at the time of your death, exceed a high threshold ($13.99 million, as of 2025). This means that most estates will not be subject to federal estate taxes.  State estate tax exemptions vary greatly.

Your estate plan should be updated regularly, particularly after major life events (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a loved one), significant financial changes (e.g., increase or decrease in wealth, real estate transactions), or other notable shifts (e.g., moving states, changes in tax laws, health changes).