Recent Blog Posts
Joint Property Ownership Has Its Perils
(Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)Joint ownership of property between people who aren’t closely related to one another, such as spouses, is rarely a wise idea, according to a recent article on Forbes.com. Among the reasons cited in the story by attorney and contributor Stephen J. Dunn are: “Joint tenancy of a bank or financial account… Read More »
Budget Cuts Affect Veterans and Survivor Benefits
A budget cut in last month’s budget agreement will not only affect all military retirees, but also the benefits received by surviving spouses, according to a recent article. The budget agreement included a cut to the annual cost-of-living increases of one percent, which according to the Pentagon will save $6 billion dollars over the… Read More »
Changing will provisions at the end can be problematic
John Grisham’s latest bestselling novel revolves around a wealthy man crafting a handwritten will that completely cuts out his family and leaves the fortune to his housekeeper. (Photo credit: Ken_Mayer) The reason the man did this just prior to taking his own life, other than that his two adult children are fairly odious people,… Read More »
Preparing for the inevitable can be a kindness to others
Along with taxes, we all face one other grim inevitability: We’re all going to die. No one but tax attorneys and IRS agents likes to think about the former, and possibly only morticians routinely contemplate the latter, but the prudent person sets aside money to pay taxes and wise individuals make some preparations for… Read More »
Being a caregiver can involve finances, as well
Taking care of an elderly loved one, a parent, relative or family friend, can sometimes mean going beyond the physical to the financial. This can be fraught with pitfalls, but also can be as essential as getting the person to doctor’s appointments and seeing to it they take their medicine. “One of the toughest… Read More »
Selling off a late parent’s possession can be stressful
As if losing a parent wasn’t trying and troublesome enough, many adult children face the grim task of subsequently have to dispose of some of their late mother’s or father’s prized possessions. Often the sad reality is that what these older people held dear doesn’t have much value to others. “A few months after… Read More »
Two Benefits That Provide Care for Veterans
There are various government programs and tax benefits available to those who provide significant care for veterans and their family members. If you are caring for a veteran at home, a recent article discusses the benefits you may be eligible to receive. If the veteran you are caring for would otherwise be eligible to… Read More »
Half of seniors eligible for drug benefit don’t apply
A little Extra Help could do senior citizens a world of good, literally and figuratively. That’s the name for a Medicare benefit that can greatly help low-income elderly people pay for their prescriptions, but one that far too many of those eligible for it don’t know exists. “More than 2 million people on Medicare… Read More »
Unusual will faced on legal hurdles
We give great respect to the words and actions of the dying. People have been convicted of murder based almost entirely on the words spoken by their victims as the end drew near. And recently in Canada they celebrated the 65th anniversary of what’s been called the “most unique will ever written,” one that… Read More »
Planning for the unplanned requires expert advice
Most people don’t want to contemplate their death, but that doesn’t prevent them from planning for it in terms of their estate. And while most people likewise don’t want to give a thought to a relationship failing to work out, it happens. Wise individuals also make plans with this sad possibility in mind. “People… Read More »