Archive for October 2017
Comedian Lewis Isn’t the Only One Disinheriting His Kids
Maybe it’s a trend—a number of high profile people have chosen not to leave their kids an inheritance. For legendary comedian Jerry Lewis, six kids from his first marriage won’t see a dime. Because his estate used a will, which became a public document, we know that Jerry Lewis very deliberately excluded all of the…
Read MoreElder Abuse Legislation Headed to President’s Desk
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is hoping that legislation boosting both enforcement and penalties for those who target seniors will become law as soon as possible. The proposed law would also improve how enforcement is coordinated between the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission. Sparked by what happened to a local couple who were scammed into…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Stop Putting It Off and Put it in Writing
No one likes to consider their own death, or that of a loved one. But imagine having to cope with grief and loss at the same time that you have to tackle settling an estate, when there’s no plan in place. When there is no estate plan in place, the stress that accompanies dealing with…
Read MoreAre You Prepared for Health Care Costs During Retirement?
People think that Medicare covers all of their health care after they retire. However, there are many gaps and you’ll need to get the timing right on what insurance products to buy and when to buy them. Medicare does not cover 100% of health costs. As a result, many seniors get an unpleasant surprise when…
Read MoreMaking Philanthropy Part of the Family Tradition
The numbers are staggering—an estimated $30 trillion is expected to transfer from baby boomers to their heirs in the coming decades. How can your family ensure that this happens in a meaningful way? The adage is well known: “The first generation earns it, the second generation maintains it and the third generation loses it.” But…
Read MoreWhen the Going Gets Tough, The High-Net Worth Advisors Show Their Strengths
Let’s face it: high net worth clients already know how to earn money. Their advisors need to deal with other issues that can be more challenging than generating income. For the average person, a financial advisor who knows how to generate good returns on their investments is pretty much all they need. However, for professionals…
Read MoreFootball Season is Here: Avoid These Fiscal Fumbles
Nothing’s more frustrating to a football fan than watching a terrific play turn into an epic disaster because someone fumbled the ball. Financial fumbles can be just as maddening, especially when you get really close to most people’s end zone: retirement. You know it is fall, when Saturdays are all about college football and Sunday…
Read MoreTalking About Your Estate Plan with Family
Being able to talk with your family about your estate plan is not easy, since the underlying subtext—your own eventual death—is difficult for parents and adult children. However, by having these frank discussions, you eliminate stress and often, promote a greater family bond. People’s skills in saving for retirement, investing and managing finances are important…
Read MoreWould You Be Prepared to Become “Suddenly Single”?
We all know that someday we and our spouses will die, but knowing that and being prepared for what comes when one becomes suddenly single, either because of an unexpected death or divorce, is daunting, particularly for women. Among the top five financial challenges facing women is the death of a spouse or divorce, says…
Read MoreEstate Planning Requires Ongoing Maintenance for Top Performance
Everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of your level of net worth. Think of your estate plan like a car: it needs ongoing service to keep running smoothly One of the key functions of an estate plan is to distribute assets after you die. If you don’t have an estate plan, the state has one…
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