5+ hour, 36+ min ago  (765+ words) People work hard to get their estate plan in place. They gather the documents, meet with an attorney, sign everything, and finally feel like that item is crossed off the list for good. But here's the thing " an estate plan…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago  (624+ words) Am I ready to retire? It is the question we hear more than any other. And the families who ask it are usually closer to retirement than they think. At some point the question stops being "someday" and starts feeling…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago  (573+ words) What Is a Beneficiary Designation? A beneficiary designation is a document " usually a simple form " that tells a financial institution or insurance company who should receive a specific asset upon your death. These designations are attached to accounts and policies…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago  (320+ words) The SECURE Act 2. 0 has introduced catch-up contribution choices for those aged 50+, designed to help boost your retirement savings. These enhanced catch-up provisions are available if you're participating in workplace retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, governmental 457 plans, and the federal government's…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago  (301+ words) Why This Matters for Your Estate Plan Here's the part that surprises many people: because community property is already half yours, your spouse can only give away their half in a will. You don't need to wait for your spouse…...

2+ mon, 4+ day ago  (314+ words) During your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as "conservative," "moderate," or "aggressive" and that guided how your portfolio was built. Maybe you concerned yourself with finding the "best-performing funds," even though you knew past performance does not…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago  (352+ words) What workers anticipate in terms of retirement income sources may differ considerably from what retirees actually experience. For many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here's a quick review of the six main sources: Social Security…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago  (675+ words) As an estate planning attorney practicing in Idaho, I've seen countless families navigate the difficult weeks and months following a loved one's passing. While having a well-drafted will, trust, and powers of attorney is crucial, I've learned that some of…...

3+ mon, 1+ day ago  (279+ words) New retirees sometimes worry that they are spending too much, too soon. Should they scale back? Are they at risk of outliving their money? This concern may be legitimate. Some households "live it up" and spend more than they anticipate…...

3+ mon, 4+ week ago  (738+ words) Around this time of year, our minds naturally go to family. Estate planning is often viewed as a necessary but uncomfortable task " something we do to prepare for the worst. But there's another way to look at it. When done…...