Financial & Estate Planning

When you open a 529 college savings account, you’ll be asked to name a successor or contingent owner of the …More

Careful handling of an inherited IRA can lead to long-term wealth building. Suppose Betty Jones dies and leaves her IRA …More

When you create a charitable remainder trust (CRT), you can specify a stream of payments to a beneficiary or beneficiaries …More

If you become ill or injured, a power of attorney will be extremely valuable. This document is drafted by you, …More

Variable annuities allow you to put your money into a variety of investment accounts, including stock funds, while deferring the …More

If you draw up a will, any property included in that will must go through probate before it can pass …More

In 2008, you can give away up to $12,000 worth of assets to any number of people without owing gift …More

Should your will include a bequest to a 529 college savings plan? Your will could leave a certain amount with …More

Don

The way in which assets are titled can be vital. The main options are: Your own name. Holding assets this …More

A savvy estate planning move may be to put your home (or a second home) into a qualified personal residence …More

In many estate plans, the first spouse to die (usually the husband) leaves his assets to the surviving spouse (usually …More

The simplest, least expensive tactic for dealing with potential incapacity is to put some assets in joint ownership, with right …More

As you head into retirement, should you pay down your mortgage, reducing your debt burden? Or should you hold onto …More

You may have several options when deciding who should be the beneficiary of your IRA. Your spouse: He or she …More

If you

You can create a revocable trust (sometimes called a living trust) and transfer most, if not all, of your assets …More

Asset protection strategies are gaining popularity but there are some points to keep in mind before you take any actions. …More

Deferred annuities (fixed or variable) may be considered the opposite of life insurance because annuities can help you protect against …More

To trim your taxable estate, you can make unlimited gifts to a spouse and to charity. Also, an annual gift …More