blog & insights

Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are – 5 Things to Talk About with Your Family

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You intend to pass along your wealth through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring you accomplish both calls for a family meeting to have a conversation about your money, your legacy, and your core principles. Most families lead far-flung and busy lives, meaning the only time they see one another face-to-face is…

Avoiding an Eviction

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You love your new house or apartment, but unfortunately you’ve fallen on hard times. Maybe you had an unexpected medical bill or were laid off. If you’re at the point of risking eviction, you want to avoid a lengthy legal dispute with your landlord. It is very likely they have more time and resources than…

Caution: Creditors Now Have Easy Access to Inherited IRAs

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Do you have IRAs or other retirement accounts that you plan to leave to your loved ones? If so, proceed with caution. Most people don’t know the law has changed: inherited retirement accounts no longer have asset protection, meaning they can be seized by strangers. How Can Inherited IRAs Be Protected? Enter the Standalone Retirement…

The Pros and Cons of Probate

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In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often comes with a starkly negative connotation. Indeed, for many people —especially those with larger estates —financial planners recommend trying to keep property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the property of the deceased and his/her heirs, and…

How a Community Property Trust Could Save You From Heavy Taxation Down the Road

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When it comes to your family’s legacy, every dollar you can save from tax collection counts. One way to keep your assets out of the hands of the IRS is the formation of community property trusts. How does a community property trust (CPT) work? CPTs save you money on taxes by adjusting or “stepping up”…