Estate Planning, CHA-YOU
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. Pretty much anyone with assets, families, and even pets should have plans in placeâjust in case.
Estate Planning Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Charitable remainder trust: An estate-planning tool that supports your retirement and your charities
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) can be a good solution for people who want to turn appreciated assets into retirement......
Community property vs. common-law property: Who owns what?
You meet, you fall in love, and maybe you get married. Chances are, youâre thinking about happily ever after, not......
Create a lasting impact by leaving a legacy
Leaving a legacy is all about how you want to be remembered in future yearsâwhether by your loved ones or even......
Do I need a will? Itâs about more than just your assets
You may wonder if you need a will. If youâre like many people, you may have been wondering for a while now. People......
Estate planning checklist: Are the pieces in place?
Making an estate plan can feel like a daunting process. For some people, drafting an estate plan will involve attorneys,......
Estate planning strategies for dependents with disabilities
If youâre caring for a loved one with special needs, you may be thinking about how to enhance their care without......
Executor of a will: Managing an estate from probate to distribution
A close relative has died, and youâve been named executor of the estateâthe person responsible for settling the......
Heirs, wills, and trusts: Estate planning for beginners
Estate planning is the process of deciding what you want to happen to your assets if you die or become incapacitated,......
How to build generational wealth and pass it on
âGenerational wealthâ is a relatively new term to describe something thatâs been around for centuries, at least......
How to choose a health care proxy
A health care proxy, sometimes known as a health care agent or surrogate, is someone you trust to make medical......
Longevity risk: What it is and how to minimize it
When you think about saving for retirement, chances are you have a dollar amount in mind as a goal. But even if......
Love your pet to death? Why and how to create a pet trust
In his will, designer Karl Lagerfeld stipulated that a portion of his $300 million fortune go to his beloved cat,......
Making a blended family estate plan? These 7 steps will help
Blended families, in which spouses have remarried and bring children from previous marriages into the new family,......
Powers of attorney: What they are and how they work
A power of attorney (POA) doesnât refer to a lawyer. Rather, a POA is a legal document that you (the principal)......
Preparing your will: How an attorney can help
The proliferation of legal services and software available on the Web makes creating your will quick and easyâand......
Probate: What to expect when settling an estate
Probate is often described as something to avoid. You may have heard that it can delay settling an estate or add......
Revocable vs. irrevocable trust: Whatâs the difference?
Trusts are estate planning tools designed to hold your assets and make sure theyâre used the way you want. When......
Special needs trust: 8 steps to securing a plan for future care
If you are caring for a family member with special needs or facing a diagnosis that may require special care, your......
The case for finally making a will
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 23,......
The natural appeal of green burials
As more consumers weigh the environmental and health consequences of traditional funeral practices, green burials......
Transfer taxes: How gift, estate, and generation-skipping (GST) taxes fit together
Whether we like it or not, the federal government canât provide services without revenueâand that revenue comes......
What is a beneficiary? Where do I need to designate one?
Youâve finally gotten a real job and it comes with benefits! Wowâhealth insurance and a retirement plan and even......
What is a living will, and why do you need one?
In the realm of health care planning, few documents hold as much weight and significance as a living will. This......
What is an elder law attorney, and when do you need one?
With people enjoying increasingly long lifespans, the need for specialized legal assistance in matters related......
Will vs. living trust: Whatâs the difference?
Estate planning isnât just for the uber-wealthy. In fact, if you have any property or assets at all, it probably......
Youâve inherited an IRA. Do you have to take required minimum distributions?
Your family has successfully completed estate planning and has named beneficiaries for life insurance policies......