Talking about death makes most of us uncomfortable, so we don’t plan for it. That’s a big mistake, because if you don’t have an end-of-life plan, your state’s laws decide who gets everything you own.
By discussing finances with your children early and often, you can set them—and future generations—up for success, when it’s time to receive the wealth you’ve accrued.
The coronavirus crisis has cascaded through pretty much all areas of the financial world, leaving very few businesses unscathed. Uncertainty has always been the enemy of financial stability, and unfortunately, foundational questions about how long the recovery will take and what the future will look like post-crisis do not have clear answers. Understandably, this is a cause of worry and concern for many.
As you age, it is important to have your affairs in order to ensure peace of mind for you and your family. Several documents need to be in place to help your family know and carry out your wishes.
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.
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