Articles

Research by the American College of Financial Services sheds light on the need for improvements in retirement financial literacy. The 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study revealed that most adults ages 50 to 75 lack knowledge about retirement income. With this lack of knowledge came a lack of confidence about achieving the best possible retirement outcomes. Just 15… Continue reading Older Adults Are Failing at Retirement Planning, Study Shows

In estate planning, the executor, or personal representative, is responsible for managing the administration of the estate after an individual passes away. An executor may be a person or an institution. Their duties include applying for probate and ensuring that the heirs receive assets according to the deceased person’s wishes. When an estate needs to… Continue reading Who Does a Probate Attorney Represent: Executor or Heirs?

If you are a homeowner who is falling behind on your real estate taxes, you may end up facing foreclosure on your property. Because your property taxes hinge on the value of your property, you may find your taxes rising beyond what you can afford. Before your situation becomes more serious, be sure to educate… Continue reading Avoiding Property Tax Foreclosures for Older Adults

A power of attorney designates a trusted individual to make decisions or conduct transactions on your behalf. They could be related to personal finances, business operations, or medical needs and used for a single immediate purpose or an ongoing situation. This may sound pretty straightforward. You might be tempted to download a free form to… Continue reading A Useless Power of Attorney: Avoid Free Legal Documents

The United States Census Bureau predicts that the nation’s population of older adults nationwide will have doubled from 49.2 million in 2016 to 94.7 million in 2060. As the population grows as well as ages, elder abuse remains a significant concern. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 10 percent of older adults experience some form of abuse… Continue reading Which States Have the Best Protections Against Elder Abuse?

If you are a homeowner who is falling behind on your real estate taxes, you may end up facing foreclosure on your property. Because your property taxes hinge on the value of your property, you may find your taxes rising beyond what you can afford. Before your situation becomes more serious, be sure to educate… Continue reading Avoiding Property Tax Foreclosures for Older Adults

Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. However, you may also have concerns about planning for the future, especially if your health declines and you need expensive long-term care. You may be aware that Medicaid can pay for these services. However, Medicaid rules… Continue reading Medicaid Planning Protects Your Home

Visiting your attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year’s resolution that you should definitely keep. None of us knows whether or when we may find ourselves seriously injured or sick. But if it does happen, you may not be able to speak for yourself. That’s why it is so important to… Continue reading New Year’s Resolution: Get That Estate Plan Done

With the arrival of the new year, revisions to the annual gift tax and estate tax exclusions will be going into effect, as recently announced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Gift Tax Exemption for 2024 Every calendar year, you can gift up to a certain amount to another individual (or individuals) tax-free. These gifts can include… Continue reading 2024 Annual Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Adjustments

Not talking to your adult children about their inheritance comes at a cost. Do what you can to manage expectations for adult children as they forge their financial plans. Knowing their general inheritance situation can change their decision-making process and lead to better outcomes. These are practical matters of allocating resources for things like housing,… Continue reading Baby Boomers: Inheritance Conversations With Your Children