While it might seem too soon to think about this uncomfortable topic, it’s still something that needs to be carefully planned to make everyone’s life a little easier as they handle the grief of losing a loved one.
Estate planning takes a lot of time, but another factor that needs to not be overlooked is having a power of attorney.
According to experts, despite increased phishing emails and robocalls, it is far more common for financial exploitation to be committed by people who know the victim, such as relatives, caregivers, neighbors, or ‘friends.’
An estate plan works like the operating system on your phone or computer. It runs in the background. However, it needs occasional updates to keep the plan current.
One goal of estate planning is to bring some certainty to a multitude of variables. Recent increases in inflation, interest rates and market volatility, however, are causing some experts to reassess their options.
Does a person need a Power of Attorney document if that person already has a Last Will and Testament (‘Will’)? It is a good question.
The important thing to acknowledge is that the emotions behind the reasons are not trivial, but are important and should not be dismissed or minimized.
There is no legal requirement that anyone give anyone else money or property when they pass. The law says that as long as you understand what you’re doing, you can give your assets to anyone you feel like giving them to, equal or not.
A Roth conversion involves liquidating assets in a tax-advantaged account like a traditional IRA or 401(k), paying taxes on the withdrawal, and then funding a Roth IRA. In the short run, investors will pay taxes (more on that below).
In general, estate planning is a practice that requires forward thinking. However, sometimes estate planning must occur in the midst of a crisis.
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