Spouses are often shocked when they realize they aren't entitled to the entire estate just because they are married. People mistakenly think that because they are married, they receive the entire estate when a spouse passes away. Unfortunately, a spouse can find themselves having to share a deceased spouse's estate in unanticipated ways.First, it is ...Read More

There are many ways to broach "the talk" with your aging parents about estate planning and the sooner you start the better, for all concerned. A recent article in Huffington Post’s Business Canada suggests that getting a plan together when your parents are still in good health will prevent any stress or confusion that could ...Read More

LearnVest’s Libby Kane explains that while the word "inheritance" typically conjures up images of a will being read after a loved one's passing, many people don't want to wait that long to give money to their children. A recent study from U.S. Trust shows that the majority of wealthy individuals feel it's important to leave an ...Read More

Robert D. Schwartz, an estate planning attorney in Florida outlined some essential documents in any estate plan in a recent article for TCPalm. Last Will and Testament - the most basic estate planning document.  A will is a legal document which allows you to direct exactly where your assets are to be distributed when you ...Read More

Estate planning is more than just having documents. It needs to be tied to long-term intent and aligned with your goals. What works for one person may not work well for the next, and what worked 10 years ago may not work now. Geoffrey M. Zimmerman, CFP® practitioner, senior client advisor at Mosaic Financial Partners ...Read More

Huffington Post’s guest blogger, Diane Morais of Ally Bank addresses the question “How can I ensure the financial security of my family after I'm gone?" It's an important question that we all wrestle with -- and one that has fueled an expansive network for estate planning products and services to address this important concern. If ...Read More

In the arena of estate planning, there’s a lot to be learned from the mistakes of others. Tim Cestnick, author of several tax and personal finance books, offers some examples. 1. Don’t die intestate. Dying without a will is called dying intestate. When Jimi Hendrix died at age 27, he didn’t have a will. Despite ...Read More