Blog

Consider the cost of aging in place

Jan 30, 2020 | families, proactive planning

Aging in place is defined as staying in your home as you get older rather than moving in with family or moving to an assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. Many people feel strongly about remaining in their own homes as long as possible, but the best...

Start the New Year with a plan

Jan 21, 2020 | families, proactive planning, trusts, wills

There are so many reasons to procrastinate on an estate plan. It's not particularly fun to think about getting older or not being able to make decisions for yourself. Most of us expect to live long and happy lives, so we don't feel a time crunch to get an estate plan...

Planning ahead when donating a body to science is critical

Jan 16, 2020 | families, proactive planning, wills

Emotions often run strong when individuals discuss what they want to happen to their bodies after death. Some want to pull out all of the stops and have a multi-day celebration. Others focus on adhering to the tenets and requirements of their faith. Others want...

Four important updates to your estate plan after divorce

Jan 5, 2020 | families, proactive planning, trusts, wills

There are many moving parts to any separation and divorce. With so many decisions and considerations to make, reviewing your estate plan can fall to the bottom of the list. That said, there are a few aspects of any plan that each soon-to-be ex spouse must review and...

An executor’s work may begin before an individual passes away

Dec 20, 2019 | families, proactive planning, wills

When a friend or loved one names you as the executor in their will, you know that you will have a job to do after that person passes away. Savvy executors, however, know that they may begin some preparation prior to the person's death to make probate go more quickly...

SECURE Act passage has implications for estate planning and Medicaid eligibility

Dec 17, 2019 | crisis planning, proactive planning

The SECURE Act brings several changes to retirement planning, but two will have broad reaching effects for both Medicaid planning and estate planning, starting January 1, 2020. First, the age at which an individual must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) will...

Life insurance Can Help Fund Special Needs Trusts

Dec 13, 2019 | families, proactive planning, special needs planning, trusts

Among the many challenges for families is making sure there will always be enough money to provide lifetime care for their children with special needs. The costs are daunting: therapies, housing, medical care, and education, to name just a few. One way to plan for...

Give the gift of peace of mind this holiday season

Dec 2, 2019 | families, proactive planning, trusts, wills

It seems like retailers start decorating for the holidays earlier and earlier each year. Seeing those decorations puts us in the mindset of family time and gift giving. Yet the one gift that can give our family true peace of mind in the event of a crisis - an estate...

Thankful for Grandchildren: Two Options for College Savings

Nov 22, 2019 | families, proactive planning

Most grandparents love few things more than spoiling their grandchildren. One great way for grandparents to help provide for their grandchildren is to help fund their college education. The Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act...

Choosing a Special Needs Trustee Requires Careful Consideration

Nov 18, 2019 | proactive planning, special needs planning, trusts

If you are in the process of setting up a special needs trust, you must appoint a trustee. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about the trust. The trustee must have the necessary expertise to manage the trust, including making proper investments,...