Back-to-School Estate Planning for College Students

At the start of the summer, we shared important information for parents and grandparents with loved ones turning 18. These estate planning tips are especially important to consider as students head to college this September. Back-to-School planning can be a whirlwind, and while this planning typically involves stocking up on bulk cases of ramen noodles…

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Planning Ahead for the Medicaid Look Back Period

It is always a good idea to start thinking about long-term planning early so that you are financially prepared for the future and your mind can be at ease if future hardship should occur. While estate planning is one endeavor that is best tackled early, long-term health care is another important issue and one that…

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The Landmark SCOTUS Decision that Impacts your Inherited IRA

In a landmark decision handed down on June 12, 2014, the United States Supreme Court held that inherited IRAs are not protected from creditors in a bankruptcy claim. In Clark v. Rameker, the Supreme Court unanimously held that retirement funds inherited by a beneficiary after the original plan participant’s death are not considered “retirement funds”…

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Important Graduation Safety Reminder for your 2014 Graduates

Do you have a child 18+ years of age? What happens if he/she is injured in a car accident? Did you know that once your child/grandchild turns 18: You no longer have access to his/her medical records You no longer can call a hospital and see if he/she is admitted after an accident You no…

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An Introduction to High-Net Worth Estate Planning

Estate planning is an important concern for anyone who desires their affairs be handled according to their wishes after their death.  Planning for high-net worth individuals and families is complex and dependent upon the particular desires of the family. High-net worth estate planning should be handled carefully, so that your estate, which you’ve worked hard…

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College Planning for Special Needs Students

College is an investment in your child’s future and it is no doubt worth it, but with education costs rising, it can certainly be expensive. Planning for your child’s education should be a priority and many benefit from starting early. Starting a “college fund” in a child’s early years can be a smart investment, as…

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Estate Planning is for Everyone

A common planning misconception is that only those with vast assets need an estate plan. But, it is important to emphasize that estate planning is not just for the wealthy. For many, the word “estate” conjures up a Downton Abbey-like property and an overwhelming amount of zeros on your bank account balance, but estate planning is a must, regardless of your tax bracket. An estate plan concerns…

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Bitcoins and Estate Planning: Bequeathing Cryptocurrency

With the prevalence of Bitcoin as a form of digital currency, new considerations must be made when it comes to a variety of legal concerns. We recently looked at the repercussions of Bitcoin on divorce, but that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the ways that Bitcoin is influencing how…

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5 Must-Have Estate Planning Documents

As the New Year progresses, there is no better time to start thinking about estate planning. To start your year off right, here is a checklist of the five must-have pieces to every solid estate plan. 1.  Will This is the most obvious starting point of every estate plan – and, in fact, most people who have done some form of estate planning probably…

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5 Estate Planning Nightmares from Around the Country

With the proper estate planning, the following situations could have been avoided. The truth is, many fail to adequately plan their estate, which can potentially lead to outcomes such as these worst-case scenarios. 1.  Mom had been in the nursing home on private pay for over 7 years.  After paying over $700,000 to the nursing…

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