Probate and trust administration are not the same. There are important differences and similarities between administering a decedent’s probate estate and administering a decedent’s trust estate.
For people age 65 or older in that situation, Medicare is generally the solution. While some in that age group might already have signed up at age 65 when first eligible for coverage, others may have delayed fully enrolling, due to qualifying for health insurance elsewhere — i.e., through their job (or their spouse’s).
A recent scientific report elevates social isolation and loneliness to the level of health problems, associating them with a significantly increased risk for early death from all causes. Of course, social isolation and loneliness can become more common with age. The arrival of the novel coronavirus will almost certainly make the problem worse.
Somewhere between a corporation and a partnership lies the limited liability company (LLC). This hybrid legal entity is beneficial not just for small-business owners but is also a powerful tool for estate planning.
Estate planning documents often are treated like the photocopied permission slip for a child’s field trip. You fill in your name, include the children’s names and dates of birth and sign. The document is filed away to be used if needed, but you really never expect it to be used.
Many people begin to notice changes in their cognitive functioning as they age. Some find that they can’t quite remember why they entered a room or that the location of their keys is a constant mystery. Varying degrees of cognitive decline are common, and it is estimated that 14 million people will be diagnosed with dementia by 2050.
Social Security benefits are one of the items that fall through the cracks in many estate plans.
A lot of people who received stimulus payments for their dead parents or spouses are more confused than ever.
Without an estate plan in place, clients will be reliant on state laws and probate courts to appoint individuals who will be responsible for financial affairs and health-care decisions, in the case of illness and ultimately the transfer of assets upon death.
Too many people mistakenly believe that to have a need for estate planning, you must be old and wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Once you are a mature adult, independent, and income-producing, it is time to assume the responsibilities of preparing for your future. High on the list is preparing an estate plan with a clear understanding that your plan will be revised to adapt to changing circumstances.
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