On January 23, 2015, the Department Of Veterans Affairs issued proposed regulations which would make significant changes to the determination of Net Worth, the treatment of pre-application Asset Transfers, and the deductibility of medical expenses in determining countable income. [1] To the extent these become final, they will dramatically impact planning strategies that advocates have Read Full Article
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Fixing a Problem Trust After the Death of a Spouse
Q. My wife and I created a Living Trust about 15 years ago. She recently died and I just re-read our trust. To my surprise, it requires that her half of our assets go into a Bypass Trust and greatly limits my access to that portion. This comes as a surprise, as we always intended Read Full Article
Long-Term Care Hybrid Products Give Buyers More Options
With many people unwilling to purchase long-term care insurance policies due to the cost, insurers are rolling out new products that combine long-term care insurance with either a life insurance policy or an annuity. These new products have been on the market for awhile, but they are gaining in popularity due to a law that Read Full Article
Who Can Serve as Executor?
Last Updated: 9/28/2009 10:45:17 AM One important reason to have a will is to be able to name your executor (also called a personal representative). An executor is the person responsible for managing the administration of your estate after you die. If you don’t choose an executor, the court will choose one for you. Read Full Article
Getting Cash From a Life Insurance Policy If You Are Terminally Ill
Last Updated: 7/27/2009 6:12:35 PM Unfortunately, a diagnosis of a terminal illness often comes with many expenses. If you need money to pay for your medical care or comfort, you may be able to use your life insurance policy to get some immediate cash. “Viatical settlements” allow terminally ill individuals to sell their life Read Full Article
Useful Financial, Retirement and Personal Calculators Available on the Web
Last Updated: 7/30/2009 10:47:17 AM The Web has spawned many miracles, and one of them is the creation of online calculators that can give consumers answers to complex questions in seconds based on their specific circumstances. Want to know whether a traditional or a Roth IRA is better for you, how much life insurance Read Full Article
Making the Golden Years Golden
Last Updated: 9/10/2009 3:50:46 PM Eva Mor. Making the Golden Years Golden. Authorhouse. Bloomington, Ind. 2009. 295 pages. $17.95 from Amazon (click on book to order) As we age, new issues confront us — from where to live to who can provide care to how to avoid scams. Making the Golden Years Golden addresses Read Full Article
Don’t Leave Children Unequal Shares By Mistake
Last Updated: 8/26/2009 10:48:41 AM Siblings do not always receive equal shares of a parent's estate. Sometimes the inequality is intentional and sometimes it is accidental. Regardless of how it happens, it can cause arguments among the children. However, there are some steps parents can take to promote family harmony. If you intend to Read Full Article
“Stretch” You IRA To Leave More For Younger Beneficiaries
Q. My IRA is a significant part of my assets, and I wonder if there are any special considerations when planning my affairs? Name Beneficiaries: Remember to name both primary and contingent beneficiaries. If you are married, the primary beneficiary would typically be your spouse, but name back-up beneficiaries as well. If you and your Read Full Article
When Your Most Valued Assets Are Not Covered by Your Will
Q. My wife and I hold title to her home as joint tenants, and most of our cash assets are in the form of two large IRA accounts and one big annuity. We have basic wills which leave everything to the other and then on to our children. Our son suggested that our wills may Read Full Article