5+ day, 18+ hour ago   (747+ words) If you've acquired assets over time, even just a home and some savings, you have an estate. That means you need a plan for that estate for your beneficiaries. When people hear the phrase "estate planning," they often think it's…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago   (337+ words) Take this simple quiz to discover whether a revocable or irrevocable trust should be the cornerstone of your estate plan. Do you want an estate plan that prioritizes flexibility, probate avoidance and keeps you in charge? Or one that focuses…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago   (988+ words) When it comes to protecting your wealth, the last thing you want to deal with is uncertainty about the kind of trust to use. Here are some differences between domestic asset protection trusts (DAPTs) and foreign or offshore asset protection…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago   (805+ words) You need to share the pertinent details with your family (including passwords and document locations) and stay focused on keeping your plan up to date as life and laws evolve. Editor's Note: This is part four of a four-part series…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago   (882+ words) These dual-purpose tools let affluent families combine their philanthropic goals with advanced tax planning to generate income, reduce estate taxes and preserve wealth for future generations. As the year draws to a close, it's a great time to review your…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago   (1279+ words) Approaching conversations with empathy and compassion is key to helping them find clarity and confidence and take control of their financial futures. Divorce and widowhood rank among life's most stressful transitions, often thrusting individuals into navigating complex financial decisions " asset…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago   (344+ words) Test your basic understanding of why having a estate plan is crucial to avoiding probate in our quick quiz. This short, six-question quiz tests your basic understanding of why a comprehensive estate plan is crucial. We'll focus specifically on the…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago   (1321+ words) Changing tax rules and falling interest rates mean financial planning is more important than ever as 2025 ends. There's still time to make these five key moves. As the year winds down, many people meet with their advisers to revisit taxes,…...

1+ mon, 2+ day ago   (1206+ words) While carrying out someone's final wishes can be challenging, there's a proper way to manage these important duties and be viewed as a "good" executor. Being named the executor of a family member's or friend's estate is often seen as…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago   (1723+ words) Sometimes no plan at all could be better than making these unfortunate mistakes. Don't let your best intentions mess things up for your heirs. We've all heard the standard estate planning advice: write a will, purchase appropriate life insurance, name…...