Articles

With a plethora of digital tools at their disposal, modern consumers are more empowered than ever to take charge of their estate planning. These platforms provide a wealth of resources,...

As inflation has risen over the last couple of years, consumers have felt how the value of their wealth and income has diminished. For those waiting on an inheritance, this...

Estate planning has traditionally been a paper-heavy and cumbersome endeavor. As it has with many activities, technology can streamline the process, increase security, and provide more options for customization. However,...

Probate is the legal process through which a court validates a deceased person’s will, settles their debts, and distributes assets to heirs. The probate process can be long and arduous. In fact, in the United...

Estate planning plays a fundamental role in financial management and asset protection. It's an area of personal finance that demands our attention, yet, surprisingly, many individuals lack key estate planning...

Embarking on the journey of estate planning can often feel like navigating a complex maze. To make this journey easier, it's essential to understand two key tools at your disposal:...

Probate is a legal process that deals with the transfer of a deceased person’s property to their heirs or beneficiaries. The origins of probate can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the...

No matter how prepared you or your clients are, managing an estate after a death can be an arduous, time consuming, and expensive process. Executors must track down and organize...

The role of executor is a complex and challenging job, with lots of potential pitfalls. While the most important decision, the one to hire a professional to help, has already...

Inheriting a house can be a bittersweet experience. On one hand, it's a reminder of the loved one who left it to you, but on the other, it can bring...

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, and it can be even more difficult when that person has passed away without a will. When a person dies...

What if the person who died and left you an inheritance lived in a different state than you. Does this affect your inheritance? If so, how? The two main things...

One of the first and most important jobs of an estate executor is communication. The executor will likely be the first person to reach out to organizations, businesses, financial institutions,...

The role of executor is a complex and challenging job, with lots of potential pitfalls. While the most important decision, the one to hire a professional to help, has already...

Whether it has been expected because of long illness, or it’s due to a surprise event like an accident or sudden health event, it can be quite shocking when someone...

Over the last few months, economic uncertainty has increased dramatically. There are concerns about inflation, a potential recession, and declining house and stock markets. For beneficiaries waiting for an estate to settle...

When inheriting a property, one of the first questions likely to come to mind is “How much is it worth?” Depending on the property type there may be easy ways...

Whenever you receive a lump sum of money, whether through an inheritance or another life event, your Wealth Advisor’s first recommendation will most likely be for you to invest it,...

If you are set to receive an inheritance and are anxious to receive the money as soon as possible due to some pressing financial need, you may have been disappointed...

Inheriting  money is always comforting  news. It means a lot to know that the loved one you lost considered their future, and yours! But if you want the benefits of...

Many believe one’s debt is forgiven once they pass away.  More importantly for our purposes, do their beneficiaries? In general, the rules for handling the debts of those who have passed are...

By Lucas Whelan, CFA, CFPC As any financial advisor who has helped a client with the probate process can attest, lengthy legal processes can create significant headaches, both for a...

When my Dad passed away after a long battle with cancer, in a way it was a relief that his suffering was finally over, but I was not prepared for...

As a wise man once said, nothing is certain but death and taxes. That wise man, by the way, was Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. If a relative of yours has...

If you are going to inherit money or assets from an estate and would like to receive those funds sooner, and avoid waiting months or years for the probate process,...

The process in which assets from an estate are distributed to heirs, called probate, is a slow one—taking 17 months on average in the United States. Once inheritors learn this,...

One of the major concerns about inheritance advances is the cost. While there will be expenses associated with choosing an inheritance advance, there are risks and expenses associated with settling...

When you lose a loved one, there are a lot of things to think about. From handling funeral arrangements and final expenses to preparing estate tax returns, the list can...

Losing a loved one is one of the most challenging experiences one can face. Plus, there’s a significant amount of work to do if you are involved with settling the...

Should I take more or less money? It seems like a straightforward question. However, in real life it is rarely that simple and when it comes to receiving an inheritance,...

Anyone with a brother or sister can tell you that sometimes siblings get along great and sometimes they fight. The question of how much they do of each varies, but...

If you inherit within the next 10-20 years, you’re part of what economists are calling The Great Wealth Transfer. By the year 2030, all baby boomers—everyone born between 1946 and...