Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jun 04, 2019 |
Parents want their children to be taken care of after they die. But children with disabilities have increased financial and care needs, so ensuring their long-term welfare can be tricky. Proper planning by parents is necessary to benefit the child with a disability, including an adult child, as...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | May 13, 2019 |
A power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can create, but it is also one that can be misused. While it isn't possible to entirely prevent the possibility of abuse, there are steps you can take in drafting the document to greatly reduce the chances.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | May 07, 2019 |
How frequently you should review your estate plan depends on how old you are and whether there has been a significant change in your circumstances. If you are over age 60 and you haven't updated your estate plan in many decades, it's almost certain that you need to update your documents. Afte...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 11, 2019 |
The key is to make your plans and prepare for problems BEFORE they happen.
An article explaining why one should prepare before a crisis arises appeared on OakPark.com in “START WITH A PLAN (not a heart attack).” The article details an incident that happens all too often.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 13, 2019 |
A good plan accomplishes your goals when you are gone and protects your loved ones.Most people realize that they need an estate plan, yet the vast majority of Americans do not have one, according to the Lockport Journal in “Senior Spotlight: Composing the ‘family love letter.'”
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Feb 26, 2019 |
With the traditional family on a downward trend, the modern family is raising some new questions for estate planning.
The rising numbers of modern and blended families have created some challenges for estate planning, according to Forbes in “How Long Will Stepmom Live? And Other Vexing Estate ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Feb 12, 2019 |
The tale might be light-hearted, but it is actually a dire position for the daughter.
Proper estate planning by Cinderella's father could have created an entirely different outcome in that very famous fairy tale, according to The National Law Review in “A Cautionary Fairy-Tale–If Only Cinder...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Feb 05, 2019 |
The larger picture needs to be considered rather than the short term.
The federal estate planning exemptions have been increased. However, that doesn't mean an estate plan is not needed, because it is still a good tool when it comes to protecting your heirs, according to ThinkAdvisor...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Feb 04, 2019 |
Want to become more in control? Get that estate plan in order.
When it comes to investments, the risks involved can make us feel we are not in control. However, if you want to feel more in control, take a good look at your estate plan, according to the Daily Camera...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 30, 2019 |
It isn't difficult to get the process started.
Many Americans make New Year's resolutions. However, it turns out that very few keep them. One New Year's resolution that is relatively easy to keep and helps prevent your family from unnecessary stress in the future is getting your estate plan ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 28, 2019 |
Assets will have to be divided in addition to dealing with paperwork, courts and tax law changes.
Dividing up assets is difficult in a divorce and the new tax law changes that went into effect in January are not going to make it any easier, according to Next Avenue...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 25, 2019 |
Don't wait until you are under pressure to create these safeguards.
If you don't have documents that protect you, your family and your assets, you should consider doing yourself a favor and putting them on your list to accomplish in 2019, according to Fox Business...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 16, 2019 |
Now is the time to handle those details you have overlooked.
There may be a number of estate planning details that you have not addressed in previous years. This year is a good year to get it done, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 11, 2019 |
The decision to disinherit someone isn't made lightly and needs careful consideration.
Sometimes as the difficulties of life wind through families, it is decided it would be best to disinherit a family member. It can be done. However, it needs careful legal consideration, according to Next Avenue...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 09, 2019 |
Where do you want your assets to go, when you think of your loved ones?
Estate planning can be a comfort to you but is also a gift of peace of mind to your family and may be a good way to begin the New Year, according to the Brainerd Dispatch...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Jan 07, 2019 |
The estate plan is a major tool to protect your family.
Okay, you now have an estate plan. What's the biggest mistake you can make? Not updating the plan as the years go by and life changes occur, according to the Times Herald in “Top six estate planning mistakes.”
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 31, 2018 |
An estate planning resolution can be beneficial to everyone.
There are many possible New Year's resolutions. However, a good one to consider may well be creating an estate plan or taking a fresh look at your current plan, according to the Grand Rapids Business Journal ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 28, 2018 |
You can eliminate stress and expense and save your loved ones a lot of trouble.
If you don't make some decisions about what you would like to happen with your assets when you are gone, it is likely that your heirs will be facing some pretty difficult challenges.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 19, 2018 |
Everyone dies but what documents do you need in your lifetime?
When it comes to estate planning, people often focus on what is needed when you pass away. However, there are some key documents you don't want to go without in your lifetime, according to nwi.com...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 18, 2018 |
You may have to take care of your parents in later life and it's best to prepare one step at a time.
Life starts out with your parents taking care of you but often that scenario changes and you end up caring for your parents. Sometimes preparing for that situation is easy but not always...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 14, 2018 |
What might happen if you have the talent for success but not the talent for business?
As can often be the case, many extremely talented people accumulate large estates and they often are not prepared to take on the task of organizing the transfer of assets, according to the Reno Gazette Joural...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 11, 2018 |
In today's world, it is not at all unusual to have a blended family.
Blended families often face special challenges when it comes to estate planning. Those issues are best approached openly, according to JD Supra in “Seven Estate Planning Considerations For Blended Families.”
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 05, 2018 |
Sometimes even having a will is not enough.
Most people do not want their finances released to the public. However, if they are not careful with their estate plan, their financial world will become an open book, according to the Robb Report...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 05, 2018 |
Joint accounts can sometimes be a problem for your estate.
Making all of your accounts as Transfer on Death (TOD) or Payable on Death (POD) to avoid probate sounds like a simple solution. However, sometimes it can become a complex problem, according to The Mercury...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Dec 03, 2018 |
Your family will most likely face some tough times if you don't make a plan.
It doesn't matter which generation you belong to, when it comes to estate planning. If you pass away without an estate plan, it is likely the people you love will face many trying days of tough decisions and trying ...