Let’s face it, in today’s world, managing your personal financial affairs can be complex. There are many decisions that need to be made on a weekly or even daily basis. For a large and growing segment of the population, who are trying to help (often unwilling) aging parents with their finances, this can be incredibly frustrating, stressful and burdensome.
An adequately planned and properly executed estate plan can ensure that your assets will pass directly to your intended heirs with the least amount of cost and hassle. Here are 7 essential elements when establishing a sound estate plan:
Improving financial markets have created a renewed interest in charitable gifting. One particular tool that can be very effective in helping you achieve your charitable objectives is a donor-advised fund.
Roth IRAs are great savings mechanisms and can be used effectively for retirement and education planning. One of the less publicized advantages to Roth IRAs is that they can be a great estate planning technique when someone wants to pass along as much as possible to their heirs. (more…)
When we begin new client engagements, one of the first things we review is whom our clients have chosen as their primary and contingent beneficiaries on life insurance policies, qualified plans and IRAs. There have been many occasions that we discover a serious mistake or oversight during this process. (more…)
Parents with special needs children can face a unique set of financial challenges. However, like all financial challenges, it is important to take measures early to financially prepare for the future. Here are a number of financial planning ideas and considerations for those parents who have special needs children: (more…)
Many people would prefer that their estates avoid the probate process. While the probate process is not overly costly in most states, it is generally considered a hassle to those who have experienced it. The following is a discussion on several alternatives for avoiding probate. (more…)
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A major consideration when conducting a retirement feasibility analysis for clients is how potential long term care costs would be covered. With the cost of long term care increasing at a projected rate of 5% to 7% for the foreseeable future, in ten years from now a three year stay in the average facility in North Carolina could cost upwards of $380,000. (more…)
Most parents take certain steps to protect their children in the event of their premature death. Drafting a will or other estate documents, designating a guardian, obtaining life insurance and naming appropriate beneficiary designations on IRAs and 401k plans are all important components of an effective estate plan that serve the purpose of protecting your children. However, most parents should take additional measures to provide guidance on how their financial assets are managed for their children’s benefit.
Many financial planning objectives can be accomplished through the utilization of trusts. Here are several of the most common types of trusts and a brief overview of their purpose: (more…)