President Trump signed the SECURE Act into law in late December 2019 as part of the government’s spending bill. SECURE stands for “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement”. The act, effective January 1, 2020, is intended to strengthen retirement security for those workers who do not have access to workplace retirement accounts. Like most pieces of legislation, the SECURE Act has both pros and cons.

Welcome to 2020! Take a few minutes to make sure that your estate plan is picture perfect! The beginning of the year is a great time to plan for your future. If you have already done some estate planning, it is time to review your documents.

The holidays are a time to enjoy visits with your loved ones. They are also the perfect time to check in on your senior friends and relatives. Unfortunately, age-related decline can happen quickly and, a lot of times, seniors are skilled at concealing their problems. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to pay close attention to physical health, mental health, and their living situation. Here are some things to look out for.

Thank you Veterans! We honor you today. Our country is free because of your bravery.

Whether you are looking for information about basic estate planning or something more complex such as Medicaid qualification, there is a lot out there. Beware! The most common piece of advice we give is along the lines of: Every situation is different. Every family dynamic is different. Just because Google/Your Neighbor/Your Son/Your CPA said you should do this or that, does not mean you should!

Hope your fall is filled with warmth and family!

Remembering 9.11.2001

Unfortunately, death is part of life. When someone close to us dies, the emotions and to-do lists can be overwhelming. Take time to take a deep breath. We have complied a very basic list of things to do

Happy Independence Day!

Estate planning “triggers” are essentially any milestones that increase your wealth or impact how you want your assets distributed after death. Each time you approach one of these life events, make sure these additions are accounted for by updating your Estate Plan. After all, life can change quickly and it is important to reflect that with proper planning. A good rule of thumb is to revisit and update your estate plan every three to five years.

What is a joint will and should you have one?

Elder financial abuse is difficult problem to address. This article provides some practical resources and reporting information.