During the estate planning process, most people consider including a living trust. This legal fiduciary arrangement allows you (the testator) to set up your assets to be managed by a third party (the trustee) on behalf of your beneficiaries. Once you have set up your...
Some people think that they don’t need an estate plan because they don’t have high value assets. Unfortunately, that mode of thinking could mean that you don’t have any say in who gets your assets or what happens if you need end-of-life care. A comprehensive estate...
Do you ever worry that your heirs are not going to use the assets that you leave to them in your estate plan in a manner that you would approve of? For instance, perhaps you have an heir who has always had trouble saving money and tends to make frivolous purchases....
You’ve been pretty mobile throughout your entire life, and you have real estate and other assets in several different states -- a second home, some investment property and maybe partial ownership in a business. All of that diversification is wonderful, but it can be a...
It is certainly better to have a simple estate plan than to have nothing at all. When you consider that most Americans don’t even have a will telling their heirs what to do with their money, the need for this type of planning becomes clear. But is it enough? Here are...
Indiana's Medicaid program is only accessible to those with real financial needs. You typically have to show that you have both limited income and limited personal assets to get benefits. Usually, your home will be one of the few assets that won't count against you...
Planning long-term care ahead of the time your elderly parent or relative may need this service is helpful. Preplanning may reduce the stress and financial burden on you and your family. Because you may not know what the future holds for your relative, it is important...
Did you know that for every reported case of financial elder abuse, hundreds or perhaps thousands of others go unreported? Elderly individuals and their families here in Indiana might not know about such abuse until significant damage occurs. The Consumer Financial...
When you enter your senior years, you may anticipate a peaceful and carefree existence. Most elders residing in Carmel, Indiana, do not expect an illness or other incapacitating event to occur, especially those that take steps to remain fit. Unfortunately, life...
Powers of attorney are important estate planning documents. The two main types are legal (financial) and medical. We have already touched on how a financial power of attorney (POA) works, so now it’s time to consider a medical power of attorney. For many people, it...
