Estate planning has an emotional side. You may experience different emotions during this time, as you will need to confront mortality, accept the fact that you might become incapacitated and address financial concerns. Estate planning can also bring up unresolved or...
There are a lot of options to consider when estate planning for passing on your assets to loved ones and other beneficiaries. A key goal of estate planning for most people is to get their assets into people’s hands in a timely and cost-effective way when they pass...
Succession planning can prove to be critical for the success of a business. If an executive or other key professional dies or becomes incapable of performing their job unexpectedly, the company needs to be ready to move someone else into that suddenly vacant position....
Wealth brings many rewards, but it also brings unique challenges when it comes to privacy and legacy. For families with substantial assets, the standard estate process can feel uncomfortably public and drawn out. No one wants their private affairs laid bare in a...
If you are thinking about the future of your wealth and how to pass it on, estate taxes might be one of your biggest concerns. These taxes can take a major bite out of what you hope to leave behind for your loved ones. One lesser-known smart planning tool that can...
Many people underestimate how costly retirement can be. Even if people save aggressively throughout their working lives, invest successfully and control their costs, they may find that they don't have enough resources to pay for all of their expenses. Particularly if...
Setting up a charitable remainder trust (CRT) sounds like a generous act. You are pledging to give what is left of your assets to charity, all while receiving income during your lifetime. It feels like a win-win. But for some, the biggest motivation is not always...
An estate executor is the person who is named in an estate plan (or who is appointed by a court) to ensure the final wishes of the decedent are complied with. There are also other duties that this individual must perform. The duties of an estate executor can be...
Estate planning isn’t just about legal documents and distribution strategies—it’s also about finding ways to transfer wealth to the next generation harmoniously. Yet, for many families, talking about money, death and the future can feel awkward or even taboo. Whether...
We’ve talked here before about the importance of putting an advance health care directive in place and naming a health care agent as part of your estate planning. This can help ensure that your wishes for end-of-life care are known and followed if you suffer a...