Another Medicare Increase Likely for Higher Income Retirees in 2018
High income retirees, get ready to dig deeper into your pockets in 2018 as Medicare income thresholds drop. More beneficiaries will get stuck with higher premiums, as Medicare lowers income thresholds for the highest surcharge tiers next year. This is bad news for those who already took a hit with premium surcharges for Medicare Part…
Read MoreBoomers and Millennials Both Need Estate Plans
It doesn’t matter how old you are—you need to have an estate plan. It’s part of being a responsible adult. One reason to have an estate plan is to articulate how you want your possessions, including real estate, investment accounts and personal effects, to be distributed after you die. But that’s not limited to people…
Read MoreSpecial Challenges Remain for Some Same-Sex Couples
The winding road that led to legalization of same-sex marriage included states that permitted the marriages, some that did not and the right to marry nationwide. Along the way, some situations were created that have put some couples’ legal status in a potentially problematic situation. Every couple needs to have an estate plan to ensure…
Read MoreJudge Awards Nearly $800,000 in Case of Fiduciary Breach
A polo team and polo ponies, photography adventures and a film project were funded by a Harvard-educated attorney, until the family’s case was brought to justice. The judge in the case of the co-executors against Philip Jay Fetner was not convinced by Fetner’s stance that the late Stephen S. Roszel VI wished to fund an…
Read MoreShould You Leave Money for Your Kids? How Much?
Money and families can be very complicated. How do you know how much money to leave to your children, or if you want to leave anything at all? Different generations and different socioeconomic groups have different beliefs about whether or not they should leave a generous legacy to their children, or if their kids need…
Read MoreProtect Your Power of Attorney’s Power with—Yep, You Got It—An Attorney
An estate plan is far more than just a will. It includes legal documents that protect you while you are alive, if you are not able to make decisions on your own behalf. Everyone over the age of 18 should have medical and financial powers of attorney (POA) documents prepared. It’s not something we like…
Read MoreLifetime of Caring for a Special Needs Child Costs Millions; ABLE Accounts Can Help
The cost of care during the parent’s lives and care after the parents have passed is a major concern, but there are solutions, including ABLE accounts. With the right guidance, it is possible for parents of special needs children to plan for the cost of a lifetime of care. That includes the support provided by…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Importance of Estate Planning
People are often surprised when they learn what estate planning encompasses. It’s not just for the wealthy, and it’s more than about distributing assets on death. Even if your “estate” is a single family home, apartment or condo and your assets include a few retirement accounts and a stack of photo albums from the 1960s,…
Read MoreFive Facts to Consider for Second Marriage Estate Planning
It’s not unusual today to be in a second, or even a third marriage. But when it’s not your first venture into wedded bliss, estate planning issues can get a little more complex. Things are different for blended families, from step-parenting and scheduling holiday gatherings to financial and estate planning. A recent article in Forbes,…
Read MoreWhat’s Harder than Wedding Seating Charts? The Pre-Nup Conversation
Merging lives also means merging finances, and a pre-nuptial agreement can be used as a roadmap to define and guide the process. The right tone can make all the difference. Planning a wedding? Today’s bride and groom are busy with the details, from selecting a photographer to writing vows and meeting with the caterer. It…
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