My Husband Just Died And Debt Collectors Are Calling!
Susan went through a very hard time when her husband, Steven, died. Not only was she grieving the loss of her husband, but she had to deal with so many other ...
Congress Passes Tax-Favored Savings Accounts for Special Needs Individuals!
Alex, a 30-year old man with Down syndrome, has cause to celebrate today. As a Special Needs individual, Alex receives Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, these federally funded ...
Inheriting an IRA – Rules for Averting Huge Taxes!
When his 75-year-old father died, forty-year-old John inherited his father’s $1 million traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). John wasn’t sure what to do with all that money. So, he contacted the ...
Your Father Died Without A Will. What Happens Next?
In our last post, we discussed problems that may arise if a person dies intestate (without leaving a Will). In this post, we discuss the process for administering and distributing ...
When There’s No Will, Problems May Arise
A critical part of estate planning involves preparing your Will. Doing so helps ensure that your estate will be distributed to your heirs according to your wishes. Unfortunately, many people ...
Estate Planning – Questions About Tangible Personal Property
Preparing a Will enables you to direct how and to whom your estate will be distributed once you’re gone. Your estate is comprised of your intangible personal property (including cash, IRA’s, ...
Estate Planning: Telling your Children What You’re Planning and Why
A critical part of estate planning involves identifying your beneficiaries, and specifying what they will inherit. Parents (particularly those who are widowed or divorced) often designate their children as beneficiaries. ...
The Perils of Inconsistencies Between Divorce Decrees and Beneficiary Designations.
The standard language in divorce decrees regarding each party’s obligation to maintain life insurance for the children of the marriage is, in many instances, not sufficient to protect the intended ...
If You Do Not Want Your Executor to Receive a Commission, Put It In Writing!
Unfortunately, when a loved one dies, arguments may arise among the heirs to the estate (also known as the beneficiaries). One potential area of dispute may involve a commission due the Executor ...
Executor, Trustee, and Testamentary Guardian – What’s the Difference?
Legal documents can be difficult to understand, containing unfamiliar words. In the case of Wills, certain key terms frequently cause confusion – specifically, Executor, Trustee, and Testamentary Guardian. We ...