Money Isn’t Everything in Estate Planning

How to Pass Your Stories and Values to Future Generations Money and property may be the most discussed types of wealth that a person owns, but the riches of their experience and wisdom can mean even more to loved ones down the line. Reinforcement of family traditions can be built into your estate plan alongside your wishes regarding […]

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Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are

5 Things to Talk About with Your Family You intend to pass along your hard-earned money and property through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring that you successfully pass all of this along may call for a family meeting to discuss your finances, your legacy, and your core principles. Most families lead busy lives, with […]

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Who Needs an Estate Plan?

  If you are reading this, you need an estate plan. Why? The short answer is that everyone age 18 and older needs an estate plan. It does not matter whether you are old or young, have built up considerable wealth or are just entering adulthood—you need a written plan to control what happens to the things you […]

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Beware of Trust Scams—and How to Spot Them

Trusts are widely used in estate planning to protect and transfer a person’s assets (money, accounts, property, etc.), sometimes in a tax-advantaged manner. Some trusts are highly complex, with multiple parties, intricate structures, specialized legal terms, and references to arcane tax law that can be difficult for the average person to understand. Scammers have long taken advantage of […]

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Lessons from Warren Buffett’s Estate Plan: Generosity, Adaptability, and Transparency

Warren Buffett, known as the Oracle of Omaha, is one of the most successful investors of all time. His disciplined approach to investing, combined with his understanding of markets and financial foresight, has made him a global icon and model of success in the often-turbulent business world. Buffett’s investing can move markets and influence corporate decisions. Investors and […]

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Handling a Loved One’s Debts After They Die

Americans are, quite literally, getting buried in debt, with nearly half expecting to pass away with outstanding debts.[1] As a general rule, a person’s debts do not go away when they die. Some types of debt, such as federal student loans, are typically forgiven upon the debtor’s death, but private loans and cosigned accounts may still be owed […]

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Estate Planning for Collectors and Hobbyists

Americans often prefer to stay busy. When we are not working, many of us turn to hobbies to keep us engaged and productive. We spend hours each day on our hobbies and leisure activities. Over the course of a lifetime, this time adds up to a significant investment. Our hobbies, passion projects, and pursuits may also represent large […]

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