by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 27, 2013 | Estate Planning
What are the basic estate planning tools that you can use to protect your family – and your assets – no matter what age you are right now? Will – if you die without a will or a living trust in place, your assets will be divided up according to state...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
Many retirees – and those planning for retirement – are taking a look at reverse mortgages to supplement their retirement income. If you are 62 or older, a reverse mortgage allows you to use your home equity to receive a loan. The loan does not have to be...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
The federal government is in the process of updating a number of applicable rules and regulations as the result of the Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor, in which the Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional,...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
There are a number of myths surrounding retirement plans and when you are in the process of doing your estate planning, you should be able to sort truth from fiction. So here, finally, are some unvarnished truths about retirement plans:You can take money out of your...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
Teaching your children and grandchildren about money – which means going beyond simply telling them “money doesn’t grow on trees” – is one of the greatest legacies you can leave.A Wall Street Journal article from a few years ago provided...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 13, 2013 | Trust Administration
Those who are entrusted with administering a trust are bound by California law to follow what is known as the Prudent Investor Rule, which means that trust assets must be invested and managed as a prudent investor would, while considering the purpose, terms,...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
A recent Los Angeles Times column by David Lazarus detailed the ongoing practice by Bank of America of deducting monthly fees on a deceased man’s checking account – and the catch is, it’s perfectly legal.Rocco Bersane died in March 2013 without a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
A recent Insure.com post provides important information on the 10 mistakes you need to avoid when naming beneficiaries for a life insurance policy:Leaving benefits to a minor. By law, insurance companies cannot pay benefits to minor children, so you need to create a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 13, 2013 | Trustees; Executors & Fiduciaries
Naming a trustee for your estate should be done with considerable forethought, with a focus on who can perform the duties of a trustee carefully and completely. This will not always be someone who is a friend or family member. You should be aware of what a...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Aug 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
Financial advisors recommend these five things to help boomers prepare for retirement now:1. Start planning. When planning for retirement, boomers need to take a long view; many will live 25 or more years in retirement. You need to figure out how much you need and...
