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Is Spouse Automatically Your Beneficiary?

If the surviving spouse is a second or subsequent spouse and did not have any children with the decedent, the surviving spouse takes even less.

Posted on: November 15, 2022

IRS Announces New Lifetime and Gift Tax Exemptions

The Internal Revenue Service Today announced new inflation-adjusted limits for 2023 that will allow well-off individuals to transfer much more to their heirs tax free during life—or at death.

Posted on: November 14, 2022

Should I Keep Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?

Here’s a simple financial question: who is the beneficiary of your IRA? How about your 401(k) or annuity?

Posted on: November 11, 2022

What Happens When Inheritances are Unequal?

Robert, the older brother, and Lon, the younger one, were close as they were growing up in the Queens borough of New York City. However, when their mother passed away and left the bulk of her estate to Robert, Lon was devastated.

Posted on: November 10, 2022

Who Should I Name as a Co-Trustee?

Unlike a last will and testament, a revocable living trust is effective during your lifetime.

Posted on: November 9, 2022

What to Do When Your Spouse Dies

Here is a list, in no particular order, of what needs to be done after someone passes to help you during this difficult time.

Posted on: November 8, 2022

Estate Planning for Different Ages and Stages of Life

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.

Posted on: November 7, 2022

How Did Olivia Newton-John Plan Her Estate?

Olivia Newton-John would have celebrated her 74th birthday on September 26. The Cambridge-born star earned millions for her efforts in music and entertainment, and a staggering final act of charity saw Newton-John’s family splitting their inheritance with her charities.

Posted on: November 4, 2022

Should I Look at I-Bonds for My Estate Plan?

Series I savings bonds are drawing a lot of attention. Thanks to high inflation, those issued from May through October 2022 offer a sky-high composite rate of 9.62%.

Posted on: November 3, 2022

Estate Planning for Changing Economic Times

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.

Posted on: November 2, 2022