What are the Basics of Estate Planning?
You don’t have to be older and rich to do some estate planning.
You don’t have to be older and rich to do some estate planning.
Since we’re all going to die (yes, even those of us who are still in our 20s!), we might as well make things easier for the loved ones who, along with grieving our loss, will have to deal with the financial and logistical pieces of our lives.
Investing for retirement is one of the most important steps you can take toward building a secure financial future for you and your family. The sooner you can start, the better. Contributing to a retirement account can help you work toward your goals and may provide tax advantages to boost your progress.
Handled incorrectly, these popular assets could go poof. You need a password-sharing plan, a plan for naming beneficiaries and possibly a trust.
Signing a prenup doesn’t indicate that you don’t have faith in your marriage, just like buying car insurance doesn’t mean you expect to get in a crash.
Providing for future generations shouldn’t be (overly) taxing. To manage taxes as you pass down your assets, look into UTMAs, 529s, child IRAs and trusts.
Frequent triggers also include changes in the health of executors and guardians; changes in laws, which may impact tax and legal strategies; and changes in state residence, which can also impact planning.
“Gray divorce” — the unfortunately named term for divorce after age 50 — is increasing among baby boomers.
Homes are illiquid assets that produce no income and come with ongoing costs for upkeep. Those issues can cause some snags with your trust.
These vehicles let a family manage multiple interests, preserve parental control and protect assets from claims of creditors and divorcing spouses, among other benefits.