Making sure your family can easily locate your estate planning documents when the time comes is a critical aspect of the planning process. Even the most carefully prepared will, trust,
Big-ticket items are often the focus when creating a will. These items include anything from your house or cars to important family heirlooms. Although these items are important, one aspect
For those who feel confident managing their own affairs and looking to save money, a do-it-yourself (DIY) estate plan seems to make the most sense. Today, thanks to an abundance
When mapping out your estate planning goals, don’t forget to take yourself into consideration. Yes, your goals will likely revolve around current family and even future generations of family, but
As the year winds down, many people start thinking more about giving to their favorite charities. If you’re planning to make charitable contributions and you itemize deductions, you may be
Beneficiary designations allow certain assets to bypass an individual’s will or trust and, instead, transfer the assets directly to loved ones. IRAs, certain employer sponsored retirement accounts, life insurance policies,
Life insurance is a key component of estate planning, providing liquidity to pay estate taxes, debts, and other obligations. However, if you own the policy directly, the life insurance proceeds
It’s typical that when estate planning, families consider different strategies to provide financial security to their loves ones and mitigate tax liability. These include making gifts during your lifetime or
A quiet or “silent” trust is one of the more nuanced tools available when estate planning. As its name suggests, a quiet trust keeps beneficiaries (most often children or young
A custodial account is often a very useful option when considering opening an investment account for your minor child or grandchild when helping them save for the future. Until the
