Britney Spears’s legal fight to wrest back control over her personal and financial affairs has flooded the issue of guardianship in lights. While a full guardianship may be necessary for many individuals who are incapable of managing their own affairs due to dementia...

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve leaving assets directly to a minor. There are two main problems with...

 If you are preparing to send your son or daughter off to college to pursue higher education, you may be wondering how their first semester of school will go. During this exciting new chapter in your family’s life, the last thing you may be thinking about is estate...

A recent court case involving a power of attorney demonstrates the problem with using online estate planning forms instead of hiring an attorney who can make sure your documents are tailored to your needs.   Mercedes Goosley owned a home in Pennsylvania. In 2013, she...

For decades, common financial planning wisdom has encouraged American workers to maximize their contributions to qualified retirement accounts. Indeed, doing so can be a powerful way to reduce your current income tax liability, grow your savings exponentially...

How frequently you should review your estate plan depends on how old you are and whether there has been a significant change in your circumstances. If you are over age 60, for example, and you haven't updated your estate plan in a decade or two, it's almost certain...

The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Nothing can truly prepare a person for such a loss. However, dealing with the financial stress of frozen bank accounts can exacerbate the stress. Without proper planning, your significant...

The mortgage business is booming in many parts of the country. Historically low interest rates have created an almost frenzied environment with homeowners scrambling to refinance their home loans at these low interest rates. Even a few tenths of a percentage point of...

Don’t assume your estate will automatically go to your spouse when you die. If you don’t have an estate plan, your spouse may have to share your estate with other family members. If you die without an estate plan, the state will decide where your assets go. Each state...