The Elective Share and Other Rights of a Surviving Spouse
Most people know what when a married person dies without a will, the surviving spouse is entitled to a significant share of the deceased’s estate. Depending on the family structure and other natural heirs, the [...]
Estate Planning Isn’t Spooky! But not planning can be downright terrifying.
The idea of implementing an estate plan might be one of the scariest things you have to confront as an adult. But estate planning does not have to make chills run down your spine. On [...]
At What Point Do I Need a Will?
If you’re over the age of 18 and are thinking about the right time to create a will, chances are good that the answer is “now,” or even “you should have taken care of that [...]
What to Expect from the New Jersey Probate Process
Most people know that when a person passes property through a will or dies without having made provisions for distribution of the property he leaves behind, the estate must pass through probate. However, many don’t [...]
Avoid These 8 Common Estate Planning Mistakes
The most common and most significant estate planning error is failing to plan at all. About half of U.S. adults don’t even have a will, arguably the most basic estate planning document. Unfortunately, many of [...]
The Role of a Prenuptial Agreement in Estate Planning
You may think of prenuptial agreements as contracts created in anticipation of divorce. While a standard prenup will contain provisions regarding the distribution of assets should the couple divorce, an agreement executed in anticipation of [...]
Estate Planning for Single Parents
Every adult should have a well-considered estate plan, but being prepared is never more important than when you are solely responsible for a minor child. Like anyone creating a comprehensive estate plan, you’ll need a [...]
Florida Nursing Home Tragedy Causes Rethinking of Disaster Preparedness
The recent tragedy in which 12 Florida nursing home residents died when the facility lost power during Hurricane Irma is causing government officials to rethink disaster planning.In response to the deaths, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced a [...]
How to Reverse Medicare Surcharges When Your Income Changes
What happens if you are a high-income Medicare beneficiary who is paying a surcharge on your premiums and then your income changes? If your circumstances change, you can reverse those surcharges. Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries (individuals [...]
Nursing Home Costs Rise Sharply in 2017
The median cost of a private nursing home room in the United States has increased to $97,455 a year, up 5.5 percent from 2016, according to Genworth's 2017 Cost of Care survey, which the insurer [...]
Now Is the Time to Review Your Medicare Options
Are you happy with your current Medicare plan or plans? Now is the time to think about whether you are in the right plan or whether a new plan could save you money. Medicare's Open [...]
5 Easy Tips to Simplify Your Year End Charitable Giving
Are you planning on making charitable donations before the end of the year? The IRS reminds us that you must itemize deductions on your tax return to claim a deduction for these gifts. In addition, [...]
Millennial Wealth Management and Estate Planning
The popular press has a lot to say about Millennials—a loosely defined classification including those who are currently in their late teens to late thirties—and their money. We read that they’re broke, that they’re living [...]