This seems like a simple question, right? My retirement goes to the person I listed as my beneficiary (spouse, kids, etc.). Most of the time this is true, yet we also get a fair share of people having to file a probate for an IRA or having to request the court to allow someone to set up a special needs…
Big Three from Episode #060: Finding out what’s important to people – who they are and what they like is key to helping maintain quality of life. Work with someone local, knows the communities, assess clients, and have a physical presence. Who pays for long-term care and senior living communities? We do with our assets that we save, long-term care…
You may or may not already have your estate planned for when you die, but did you know that you can also make gifting your assets while you are alive a part of your estate plan? Most people are aware that you, as an individual, can gift up to $15,000 per year to any other individual without having to report…
Big Three from Episode #059: Elder mediation can help families reach agreements about legal, financial, and care planning for their aging loved ones and their estate. Even if you think a conflicting party will not agree to mediation, it’s worth getting in touch with a mediator to find ways to engage the parties in communication. The ultimate goal is to…
Big Three from Episode #057: The current estate tax exemption is $11.7 million, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file. Estate tax returns are not easy, but they are worth it. Margaret’s expert opinion: If you can take advantage, file it. An estate tax return is not an income tax return. It’s an inventory of your assets, your deductions. It’s…
When people write down their assets in conjunction with their estate planning, they often overlook their digital assets. Digital assets are considered to be any electronic record that you own or control. This can include Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or other online accounts. It can also include cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, social media pages, online photos, email accounts, credit card rewards,…
Big Three from Episode #056: Don’t wait until it’s too late, start planning NOW! Treat your parents like your partner. Listen to what’s important to your parents. What do they want to happen? Time-stamped Show Notes: 5:43 – When is the right time for adult children to have conversations with their parents, and what is the best approach? 7:51 –…
Big Three from Episode #055: Prop 19 is a time-sensitive issue that may impact real estate inherited by your children after February 16th. The only way to maintain a low property tax payment under Prop 19 is if a child keeps an inherited primary residence as their own primary residence. Own a vacation home? Be prepared for higher property taxes.…
Estate planning is not just for seniors. Ideally, as soon as you turn eighteen you should have some version of an estate plan because your parents are no longer automatically able to make decisions or act on your behalf. There are several reasons to create a power of attorney for finances once you turn eighteen. For example, the military helps…
