In an Era of Fakes, How to Know When Someone Online Is Real
You’re on Facebook, LinkedIn or X and get a message. Maybe it’s from a stranger in your industry, maybe someone from your hometown claiming to know you from way back when. The person wants to reconnect or get your advice. This could all be wonderful. Or it could be the start of a scam. Unfortunately, security…
Read MoreFamous Estate Planning Blunders
By Elaine Floyd, CFP ® Celebrities have enough money to hire the best estate planning lawyers. You would think celebrities, of all people, should have ironclad estate plans that keep their affairs private, leave money and possessions to the people they love and the charities they care about, and take advantage of legal ways to avoid…
Read MoreFall Season: 5 Steps to a Secure Financial Future – Take action and position yourself for a financially healthy winter and beyond
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures cooler, we are officially in the fall season—a time often associated with preparation, change, and reflection. Just as we prepare our homes for colder weather or harvest the final fruits of summer labor, fall is an ideal time to evaluate and prepare your financial future. Here are…
Read MoreThe Unique Advantages of Special Needs Trusts: A vital solution for your loved ones without jeopardizing their public benefits
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a crucial financial tool designed to benefit individuals who rely on needs-based public assistance. These trusts enable beneficiaries to maintain their eligibility for public benefits while receiving additional financial support from an inheritance. For clients with dependents or loved ones who receive public benefits, an SNT can offer peace…
Read MoreA Financial Checklist as Summer Starts to Fade: Key questions to ask to strengthen your financial planning before year-end
As the warm days of summer begin to fade and the routine of fall approaches, it’s the perfect time for pre-retirees to revisit their financial plans. Whether you’re planning to retire in a few years or a decade, conducting a comprehensive review now can prevent last-minute surprises and ensure you’re on track to achieve your…
Read MoreWarren Buffett Gives Us a Preview of His Will
By Karen Langley (WSJ) Warren Buffett has refined his plans for giving away one of the great fortunes of the modern era. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Buffett—the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway BRK.B -0.42%decrease; red down pointing triangle—said that after his death nearly all of his remaining wealth will go to a new…
Read MoreA Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust: A useful tool in your estate planning toolbox that you might not know about
A Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trust is a specialized, irrevocable trust designed to provide for a surviving spouse while maintaining control over the ultimate distribution of assets. Commonly used in comprehensive estate planning, a QTIP trust allows an individual to ensure their spouse is financially supported while guaranteeing that the assets eventually pass to…
Read MoreNo Matter Who Becomes President, Start to Plan: Tips for how to start your estate planning process today – for your future
Many people postpone the planning of their estates because they assume that estate planning is only for the affluent. Others may think that estate planning is similar to tax planning, which can always be done “later.” In some cases, estate planning may be put on the back burner because it is a reminder of one’s…
Read MoreLong-Term Care Facilities: Types and Costs: Learn about the different types of long-term care facilities, how much they cost and how they can help your loved one.
By Lisa Esposito and Elaine K. Howley from US News Medically reviewed by Michael Tehrani, MD Most older adults end up needing some form of care later in life. Getty Images According to the Administration for Community Living, someone who’s turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing long-term care during their remaining years. About 20% of those…
Read MoreHow to Pay for Long-Term Care: 8 Strategies
By Tammy Ward and Ed Friderici for Horsesmouth For most, it is difficult to think about the possibility of needing long-term care. But many will need it. Start the discussion and prepare yourself now so you do not face a financial challenge later. LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING—IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Two big questions loom as the…
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