What a Personal Property Memorandum Can Do for Your Will or Trust
Avoid family feuds over heirlooms. Family members often end up arguing over mom or dad’s favorite items when that parent dies. Arguments can take place over things like a coffee mug, a piece of jewelry or a painting. These types of arguments can be eliminated by filling out a personal property memorandum and keeping it […]
Saving for School: Planning for Your Family’s Education
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2018–2019 academic year, the average tuition and fees for a public four-year institution were $9,200; $35,800 for a private nonprofit four-year institution; $3,700 for a public two-year institution; and $18,400 for a private nonprofit two-year institution. If postsecondary education is in your family’s future, including […]
Saving for College: What If There Is Money Left Over?
Setting money aside for your children’s or grandchildren’s education is a great way to provide for their future. However, it is possible that not all of the money you have set aside will be used for college expenses. For example, your child may receive a large scholarship and will not need to use all the […]
Education Funding Flexibility in Light of COVID-19
When it comes to returning to school in the fall, the details may still be unknown. Will students be attending classes in person, or will classes continue to be online? Will college students be allowed on campus, or will they be bunking with mom and dad for the fall semester? One thing is certain: education […]
The Costs of Care with Alzheimer’s
Health care and long-term care costs for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are staggering as dementia is one of society’s costliest conditions.The Alzheimer’s Association has published its 2020 report entitled Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (alz.org). The findings give pause when contemplating the future of many Americans who will be living with […]
The New Age of Long-Term Care Insurance
Nursing-home care can be extremely expensive if you become seriously ill or injured. You might also know that Medicare would cover only a minimal amount of those costs. Private insurance doesn’t seem like a good bet either, if you’ve heard horror stories about skyrocketing premium costs and difficulties in even obtaining long-term care (LTC) insurance […]
HELP! This Probate Is Taking Forever!
After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its “intestacy” statute). While most people want the settlement process to be done ASAP, probate can take between 18 and 24 months. Yes, you heard that […]
Planning for When an Ill Spouse Leaves Home
Much as you want to and hard as you try, you just can’t take care of your ill spouse at home anymore. At this emotionally difficult time, the last thing you need is the stress of not knowing where to find the money to pay for the steep costs of institutional care. Advance planning is […]
Modernizing Medicare
Many seniors who are financially stable and choosing to age in place already have a “smart” home employing the sorts of technology that can prolong their independent living circumstances. Family caregivers are freer to move about their daily lives knowing they can check remotely on their loved one and that the loved one has a […]
Estate Planning with Your Parents
It is essential that as your parents’ age, you have conversations with them about their finances. To broach the topic, you might bring up current events like the coronavirus pandemic, its effect on economic conditions, and how it relates to the security of their financial future. The conversation should come from a calming place of […]