What Does It Mean to Be a Fiduciary? If you have been named as an agent under a Power of Attorney or a trustee of a trust as part of a loved one’s estate plan, you have been given a significant responsibility. In the eyes of the law, you are now a “fiduciary.” But what […]
Is Trust-Based Planning Right for You? While every adult should have foundational estate planning documents like a will and powers of attorney, some families require a more robust and customized strategy. For many of our clients, trust-based planning is the key to achieving their specific goals for asset protection, privacy, and control. What is a […]
Who Has the Keys to Your Digital Assets? Have you ever logged into a spouse’s or parent’s online account to pay a bill or check their email? While it may seem harmless, you may have technically violated the terms of service you agreed to when you clicked “accept.” In our increasingly paperless world, our most […]
Your Voice in End-of-Life Decisions: The Living Will Planning for the future involves more than just your finances; it also involves making your healthcare wishes known. While a Health Care Power of Attorney is essential for appointing a decision-maker, an Advanced Directive for a Natural Death—commonly known as a Living Will—is the document that speaks […]
The Key to Communication: Why a HIPAA Release is Essential In any comprehensive healthcare plan, there is a trinity of essential documents: the Health Care Power of Attorney, the Living Will, and the Medical Release, often called a HIPAA Release. While the Power of Attorney grants decision-making authority, the HIPAA Release is the key that […]
Appointing Your Voice: The Health Care Power of Attorney What happens if you are in an accident or suffer a medical emergency and cannot speak for yourself? Without a legal document in place, even your closest family members may not have the authority to make critical medical decisions on your behalf. Family dynamics can be […]
The Most Important Document You Might Ever Sign: The Power of Attorney Statistics show that the vast majority of us will need a Power of Attorney at some point in our lives. This simple document can be the difference between a smooth, private management of your affairs during a crisis and a costly, public court […]
The Last Will and Testament is a key Estate Planning document. A Will allows you to control your property at your death. We often refer to it as the “clean up” document because it tells who you want to receive your assets and how you want them to receive it.
June 6th is Higher Education Day! As a parent and/or grandparent there is great satisfaction in helping your child or grandchild pay for college. How you pay for it is important. What are the options? Let’s review some of them!
529 Plans
A 529 plan is a “qualified tuition plan.” They can be in the name of the student, parent, or grandparent. We have all heard the praises of 529 plans (including that they grow income tax free).
The Hidden Dangers of Gifting: How Good Intentions Can Go Wrong It is a natural and generous impulse for seniors to want to give financial gifts to their children and grandchildren. While this is a wonderful way to help loved ones, making large gifts without professional guidance can lead to unintended and severe consequences, from […]
If you own a corporation or LLC, Google “Corporate Transparency Act” and file your report before the end of the year. Don’t be fined $500.00 per day for failing to file.