Written Blogs

If you or someone you know has received an inheritance, it is important for you to understand how to manage your basis “step up.” A “step up” in basis is the adjustment of the value of an appreciated asset - for tax purposes - upon inheritance. IRS Taxes An executor...

Sadly, most Americans are indifferent to estate planning - at best - or completely ignore the issue - at worst. When it comes to estate planning, however, there are just some mistakes that you cannot afford to make. Below are five of the most critical estate planning...

One misconception people have about life insurance is that naming beneficiaries is all you have to do to ensure the benefits of life insurance will be available for a surviving spouse, children, or other intended beneficiary. Life insurance is an important estate...

Baby boomers – the first generation tasked with the responsibility of planning for and funding their golden years. This generation, which includes those born between 1946 and 1964, have entered and continue to enter into retirement. As they make this financial...

In the event of your untimely death, your beneficiaries are highly dependent on how you planned your estate. Generally, you have two types of property. First, you have property with a title that says you own it. Second, you have property that has no title — you know...

First: No one wants to die. Second: After we die, we want our assets to go to our loved ones — not to predators of a surviving spouse; creditors of a surviving spouse or children; divorcing in-laws; or judgement liens. Third: We must take affirmative steps so that our...

Yes! If you own a vacation home, timeshare, investment property, or any other asset outside of the state where you are domiciled you must make sure it’s included in your estate plan. If you fail to include these in your estate plan, or fail to have an estate plan at...

The idea of implementing an estate plan might be one of the scariest things you have to confront as an adult. But estate planning doesn’t have to make chills run down your spine. On the contrary, estate planning is empowering for both you and your family and allows...

When you think of IRAs, you probably think of retirement. But what happens to your IRA money after you’re gone? The answer depends on how you go about creating your estate plan and selecting beneficiaries, and you might be surprised to find out that your money could...

There are several parts to an estate plan, one of them being a living trust. Common factors that prompt someone to create a trust include privacy, tax benefits, avoiding probate, and caring for family members with special needs. Estate planning also lets you dictate...