How to Choose a Trustee
When you establish a trust, you name someone to be the trustee. A trustee does what you do right now with your financial affairs—collect income, pay bills and taxes, save and invest for the future, buy and sell property, provide for your loved ones, keep accurate records, and generally keep things organized and in good order.
Estate Planning Scams: What Seniors Need to Know
Creating an estate plan is an important step in protecting your loved ones and ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Unfortunately, scammers know that people who want to safeguard their estates are often willing to act quickly.
Handling a Loved One’s Debts After They Die
While nearly half of Americans think they will pass on their debts when they die, you can take proactive steps now to protect your loved ones from inheriting or becoming responsible for your debts. If you are an estate’s executor/personal representative or have been contacted by a debt collector about a deceased family member’s debt, you should understand your rights and obligations.
Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan
While the pace of your days may be slower in retirement, life does not stand still. We are living longer, spending more years in retirement, and dealing with new financial and personal realities. Whether you are approaching retirement or already in it, this stage calls for a fresh look at your estate plan and timely adjustments that match your next chapter.
Emotions the Estate Planning Process Can Bring Up and How to Address Them
Estate planning requires confronting emotionally charged topics. While thinking about your potential incapacity (inability to manage your own affairs) or death may be unsettling, avoiding uncomfortable topics and the feelings they trigger can often make the situation worse for you and your loved ones.
Creative Uses for a Loved One’s Stuff
Among the piles of old dishes, worn sweaters, and forgotten souvenirs you may uncover when a loved one passes away, there may be a few pieces worth rescuing—not for their value, but for their story. Consider setting aside one or two items and turning them into something that will last. A creative keepsake can transform the weight of “stuff” into a tangible reminder of love, history, or a life well lived.
