How Do IRAs and 401(k)s Fit into Estate Planning?

IRA 401(k)

Investing for retirement is one of the most important steps you can take toward building a secure financial future for you and your family. The sooner you can start, the better. Contributing to a retirement account can help you work toward your goals and may provide tax advantages to boost your progress.

What Sparks the Contesting of a Will?

will contest

Some people draft wills or trusts to ensure that the loved ones they will eventually leave behind own a piece of the properties the former will be leaving behind in case of their death.

Why Is Beneficiary Designation Important?

beneficiary

When you set up your estate plan it is important to coordinate the legal planning documents that you or you and your attorney create with the document provided by your retirement account custodian and/or your life insurance carrier called a ‘Designation of Beneficiary.’

What Happens Financially when a Spouse Dies?

spouse financial

When you lose your mate, you lose so much—your best friend, your equilibrium and your future together. Just when you’re at your lowest, it hits you: You could lose a lot of money, too.

When Should I Update My Will?

will

There are some obvious triggers that might prompt you to update your will, such as changes in health or marital status. There are, however, also some not-so-obvious ones to be aware of, according to financial planners and attorneys.

Should I have Revocable Living Trust in Estate Plan?

revocable living trust

A revocable living trust is a great tool to help your assets pass smoothly to your beneficiaries. It can also significantly reduce the headaches of probate. However, while some assets belong in a trust, others cannot (or should not) go into one.

What are Benefits of Pre-Planning My Funeral?

pre-planning funeral

Questions around death planning can feel overwhelming: Cremation or burial or natural organic reduction? What will your family want, and what will it cost? Do you really need to think about all this if you’re young and healthy right now—or can you put off these decisions until you’re older or dealing with a life-threatening illness?