Estate planning is usually viewed as a sea of paperwork that, once completed, sits on a shelf to collect dust. You have peace of mind that it is complete and that your family will now be harmonious upon your death because they have a well-thought-out plan to follow when executing your last wishes. However, the big issues that tend to…
It starts out innocently enough, you bank with Chase, but your new mortgage is through Bank of America, and they offer you a half a percent discount on your mortgage if you open a new account with them. Then a local credit union offers a great rate on a car loan, so you open an account with them and become…
The days following the death of a spouse can be confusing. There are a lot of decisions to make and tasks to undertake. One area that must be dealt with quickly and competently is your finances. It is very important to get a clear picture of what steps you must take to secure your financial future. For example, it is…
Betsy slowly lowered herself into a kitchen chair and buried her head in her hands. Since her husband, Bill, had died three days ago, she had been swept up in a whirlwind of activity. Between planning a funeral, notifying relatives, and nonstop condolence calls, she hadn’t had any time to grieve, much less think. Her gaze swept the room and…
Sally stared at the notice from the bank and frowned. “What’s that?” her husband, Bill asked. “Another bill for your dad?” Sally nodded. “But this time it’s his monthly mortgage payment. I wonder if we need to pay it. He’s only been dead five days. Maybe they aren’t aware of it.” Bill snorted. “Why pay the mortgage if he’s dead?…
“And to Mary Kay Morgan, I bequeath my home and the sum of $250,000,” the lawyer intoned. Sara gazed at her sister, Mary, her eyes filled with questions. “Who the heck is Mary Morgan?” she whispered. Mary shrugged. “No idea. Maybe Uncle Hank had a girlfriend or something?” Sara’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds fishy to me. We all know Uncle Hank…
