Question: When should I create a trust? My assets include a couple of cars, my home, less than $100,000 in savings and a 401k. Do I need a trust? Answer: A Revocable Living Trust can be beneficial for anyone, regardless of what they do or the amount of assets they own. The best time to…
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Many young families put off estate planning because they are young and healthy and don’t need to do it yet, or because they don’t think they can afford it. But even a healthy, young adult can be taken suddenly by an accident or illness (Terri Schaivo being an example). And while no one expects to…
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Estate Planning for Women is Critical While estate planning is important for everyone, women especially need to understand estate planning and have a plan of their own in place. Here are some issues that are of particular interest to women and their estate planning. Incapacity On average, women live longer than men. As such, there…
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From time to time, we like to go over why having a complete, up-to-date estate plan is so important. We hope this article and provide you with valuable information to for yourself and your family and information that you can pass along to friends and family who, for whatever reasons, haven’t created an estate plan…
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Estate planning for young adults might strike some as unnecessary, but that is far from the truth. Estate Planning for Young Adults is Critical Although it may surprise some people, once a child turns 18 their parents lose the legal ability to make decisions for their child and find out basic information. A parent learning…
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Before taking any trip, most people create a “to-do list” of things they have put off and want to take care of before they leave. Here is a checklist of estate planning things everyone should do before taking your next trip. Getting these things done will help you travel with peace of mind, knowing that…
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Question: I own property as joint tenants with right of survivorship. The other joint tenant died. What should I do now? Answer: You need to remove the deceased tenant from showing ownership of the property. To do this you need to file an Affidavit Evidencing Termination of Joint Tenancy with the county recorder where the…
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Question: I’ve heard of a Will, Last Will and Testament and Living Will. What’s the difference? Answer: Good question. There are two different types of “Will” documents. The most common one that people think of is a Last Will and Testament (casually referred to as a Will). A Last Will and Testament serves a number…
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Richie Valens: The Day the Music Died On Feburary 2, 1959, rock and roll legend Richie Valens was killed in a plane crash in Iowa. Also on board were Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. The day later became known as The Day the Music Died. But how did Valens end up on this plane?…
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IRAs are among the largest assets inherited by heirs and beneficiaries. These accounts are able to grow to very large amounts because income taxes are deferred until the owner begins to take distributions, which usually happens after the owner reaches age 70 ½. Those who inherit an IRA must be very careful to follow the…
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Not many parents like to talk to their children about their wealth. How much money people have is typically considered a very private matter, and most people don’t think it’s polite to talk about it. However, not talking to children about their potential inheritance could leave them unprepared to handle inheriting even a modest amount…
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Parents with minor children need to name someone to raise them (a guardian) in the event both parents should pass away before the child becomes an adult (age 18). While the likelihood of that actually happening may be slim, the consequences of not naming a guardian are significant. If no guardian is named in the…
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