Have you ever been through the process of probating an estate? If so, you probably have a story or two you could share about it. If you haven’t, you may want to say a prayer that you won’t have to. We have always said that Texas is a friendly place to die. While this is…
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…with your adult kids. Should Inheritance Be a Retirement Strategy? That was actually the title of a Forbes article this year. And it’s really not a surprise when you consider just a few statistics: 63% of affluent 18-22 year old’s say that financial stability in retirement will depend on inheritance. 1 in 3 people are…
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Anne Heche is yet another celebrity to die without a Will. When I read this fact, my heart sunk. Of course, I don’t know Anne Heche personally, but I do know what dying without a Will could possibly mean for her family—stress, chaos, conflict and quarrels, and interruptions to daily life for her family in…
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If you’re taking the time to read this, odds are you’re the planner in the family. You take care of most of the financial duties for your family, and your spouse looks to you for the final say on these matters. If that is a fairly accurate portrayal, it is important that you continue reading…
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You have great power over the destiny of your family. In fact, you have the ability save your family… or destroy it. Yes. I am aware that probably hit you square between the eyes. In fact, I hope it did. Too many of us make all the excuses in the world to not work on…
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You finally got your Will done. So, your estate plan is complete, right? Well… maybe not. Donna was a widow for many years before she died. She had updated all of her legal documents just a couple of years beforehand. Her goal was to make sure everything went equally to her three kids and to…
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According to the IRS: Estate Tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. Due to what might be owed at your death, the government realized that estates comprised mostly of small businesses, farms, and ranches could face ruin after the death of the owner. So, in 1997 Section 2032A of the tax code…
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Beyond grief, one reality that loved ones must face when someone passes is the responsibility of dealing with the departed’s estate. This undertaking can be quite cumbersome, especially due to the seemingly “foreign” language of the law. One aspect, the probate process, is public. It is filed in the city or county in which the…
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Will your family have good Christmases and Thanksgivings after you are gone? Most of us would like to think so. We never want to believe our kids would fight over money or possessions. We ask this very question as we go through our Legacy Planning Process. The answer is almost always the same. Yes. Our…
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Bruce Schneier wrote an article in March of 2007 titled Why the Human Brain is a Poor Judge of Risk. Looking back, the timing is fine irony. Had more investors read his article, perhaps they would have lowered their overall risk in the markets prior to the Financial Crisis – which began in August of…
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