A growing concern for those managing the process of closing an estate is figuring out where deceased actively maintained accounts and kept items on the web. We often plan for ‘physical assets’, but as Claudia Buck points out in this recent article, many do not have a plan in place for “digital assets.” What happens [...]
Archive for the ‘Estate Planning’ Category
Planning Your Digital Estate
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged digital assets, digital executor, Estate Planning, physical assets on January 9, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Financial Planning & Adoption
Posted in Estate Planning, Taxes, tagged adoption, estate law, Estate Planning, family planning, Federal Adoption Tax Credit, National Adoption Month on November 16, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Two weeks ago, I became the proud uncle of an 11-year old boy at a wonderful celebration where more than 80 foster children found homes in Tucson, Arizona. My sister, after much thought and a long and sometimes trying process, successfully welcomed her son to our family. In travelling back home from the weekend’s events, [...]
5 Reasons You Need a Will
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged domicile, Estate Planning, estate tax, Executor, guardian, intestate succession laws, living trusts, will on August 31, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Although Living Trusts are widely regarded as one of the most effective tools in estate planning, most people neglect to establish a trust because they feel that their estate is too small to justify the time and expense of preparing one. Even people with large estates sometimes fail to execute a trust simply due to [...]
Planning Ahead: A Survival Strategy
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged advance planning, assets, death, Durable Power of Attorney, elder care, Estate Planning, funeral arrangements, medical durable power of attorney, trust, will on August 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The death of a spouse is one of the most traumatic events most people ever have to face. The necessary and inevitable grieving period immediately following such a loss is not the time to deal with difficult and often irreversible financial decisions. However, unless those considerations have been mapped ahead of time, the surviving spouse [...]
How to Disinherit Your (Step)Children
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged adoption, beneficiary, beneficiary designation, inheritance laws, property, revocable living trust, stepchildren, will on July 6, 2011 | 4 Comments »
It’s really simple. Do nothing. That’s right. Do nothing and you will almost certainly ensure that none of your stepchildren will receive any benefit from your life insurance policies, your IRAs, your 401(k)s – nothing. But, you say, I love my stepchildren. I would never want to disinherit them. How could that possibly happen? It’s [...]
Life’s Blessings and Life’s Realities – For the Young Too!
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged death, disability, disability insurance, Estate Planning, ethical will, family legacy, guardianship, incapacity, life insurance on June 24, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
I am having the pleasure of writing this month’s blog from a hilltop overlooking the J.Lohr vineyards in San Miguel California. We are here celebrating the wedding of Edwin Perkins and Sumre Glass – the daughter of my ‘since second grade’ friend, Edward Glass. Substitute the names of your friends or love ones, it does [...]
A Tribute to “Mr. A”
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged family finance, legacy on June 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
A Dying Man’s Gift to His Family Mr. A passed away a few days ago after a short and courageous battle with cancer. I call him “Mr.” with full intention because this was his request when we first met about eight months ago. Like the gentleman he was, Mr. A preferred to be addressed formally when [...]
Succession Planning for the Family Farm
Posted in Estate Planning, tagged family farm, farming, generational transition, succession planning on June 21, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Farmers are an interesting bunch. My family’s history with farming goes back generations. Now, however, the Coates family farm in northern Iowa is a golf course. I do not have the background of that specific decision to sell, but experience tells me it was not easy for my great-grandfather. This spring has been surprising and [...]
Exploring the Elder Care Journey as Part of Estate and Financial Planning Process
Posted in Estate Planning, Financial Planning, tagged Durable Power of Attorney, elder care, end of life planning, Estate Planning, estate tax, living will, long-term care, Medical Power of Attorney, Safe Harbor Trust on May 31, 2011 | 3 Comments »
Often times individuals focus entirely on death when they plan their estate. On May 20th, Mike Branham, CFP®, wrote an excellent article that talks about his personal story of how his wife lost her father. He touches upon many of the more important aspects of end of life planning, for example having a Durable Power [...]
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Bloggers
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Lee Baker, CFP®
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Rick Kahler, CFP®, MS
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Rick Miller, CFP®
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Tara Scottino, CFP®
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Robert Schmansky, CFP®
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Francis St. Onge, CFP®
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FPA Guest Blogger
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Sam Hull, CFP®, ACC
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Chip Workman, CFP®
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Saundra Davis
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Gelasia Steed, CFP®
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Aaron Coates, CFP® CIMA
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Michael Snowdon, CFP®
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Pamela Sandy, CFP®
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Mike Branham, CFP®
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Edward W. Gjertsen II, CFP®
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Constance Stone, CFP®
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Andrew B. Chou, CFP®
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