Spring is associated with renewal, and as the weather gets warmer, many homeowners turn their attention to renovation projects. Each May, the home remodeling industry and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrate National Home Remodeling Month. 2023...
Roughly one in five US adults experience a mental illness each year. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting nearly one-third of adults at some point in their lives. While anxiety can be generalized and chronic, it can also be a...
Freddie Mac’s recent article entitled “How Planning Your Estate Can Help You Prepare for the Future,” says that estate planning refers to the process of deciding where and how assets are distributed once the original asset holder is incapacitated or has died. You’ve...
We often hear that certain politicians or lottery winners have a blind trust. But what is a blind trust, how do they work, and who typically needs one? In a typical trust, the trust maker (the grantor or settlor) establishes a trust and names a trustee (or...
As a parent, nothing is more important than your child's well-being. But what happens to them if something unexpected happens to you? That's where estate planning comes in. By creating a plan, you can ensure that your minor child is well-cared for and that the money...
As your parent's age, they may become more vulnerable to scams and fraud. Scammers often target seniors because they believe they are more trusting and may have access to retirement savings or other assets. As a loving child, it’s essential to take steps to protect...
When getting your estate plan in order, one tool to consider that can help safeguard your wealth and secure it for your family's future is a limited liability company (LLC). This strategy can help reduce the size of your estate and minimize estate taxes. An LLC...
Estate planning is a necessary process that everyone should go through to ensure that their assets are protected and their family is taken care of after their passing. One of the most popular estate planning tools is a revocable trust, also known as a living trust....
The federal estate tax has continued to increase. In 2023, the federal estate tax only applies to estates worth more than $12.92 million. For a married couple, the exemption is $25.84 million, explains a recent article from The Alliance Times-Herald, “Estate,...
When it comes to estate planning a transfer on death (TOD), also known as beneficiary designation, can be a useful estate planning tool in certain situations. This option allows you to name a beneficiary on certain assets (such as bank accounts or investment...
Transferring real estate to your children can be a complex process, but it's something many families choose to do for a variety of reasons. There are several steps involved in transferring real estate to your children, and it's important to have a clear understanding...
When someone passes away, the task of managing and distributing their assets falls to the executor of their estate. An estate executor is responsible for carrying out the deceased person's wishes as outlined in their will, including identifying and appraising assets,...
