You often hear the term “trust” mentioned in everyday life, whether it be on your favorite TV show or overhearing someone’s conversation in a coffee shop. It is often associated with the wealthy, as a tool they use to protect and distribute their wealth. However, this is a common misconception. To create a trust, all […]

Forbes expertly tackles the benefits to creating an Estate Plan in their article linked below, entitled “6 Reasons Why You Should Have A Estate Plan.” According to Catherine Schnaubelt, director and senior wealth strategist of CIBC Private Wealth Management, these reasons are: 1. To Plan for Your Own Needs2. To Choose How You Dispose of […]

Estate Planning is a term that often comes with several connotations. For example, you may think only those who have great wealth create Estate Plans, or that you must own a fancy estate and cars to consider making this plan. However, neither of these assumptions are true. Estate Planning is the only direct way to […]

Medicaid is often the only option for Americans 65+ that require long term healthcare. However, one must overcome 2 major hurdles: planning for eligibility and the application. Becoming eligible for Medicaid is complicated, with the requirements changing fairly often and varying from state to state. To qualify, one cannot exceed a certain amount in assets and […]

“MORE THAN HALF OF ALL American adults don’t have a will, and that can cause all kinds of problems if tragedy strikes.” As it turns out, Estate Planning is not only for the wealthy. It’s for anyone that has any assets that they would like to protect or hand over to someone else after their […]

“Medicaid, the joint federal-state health financing program for low-income people, has long been the nation’s main financial backstop for long-term care. Over 60 percent of nursing home residents have Medicaid coverage, and over half of the nation’s long-term care is funded by the program.That isn’t because most people who require long-term care have low incomes. […]

Although it may not seem like it’s coming up fast, or important right now, it’s never too early for creating a life plan for your post-retirement life. The reality is that when you are no longer able to work, you still need to have an income in order to support yourself. Some basic necessities you […]

“One of the most loving things you can do,” Rampenthal says, “is not make people guess at what you wanted.” This advice comes from Chad Rampenthal, general counsel for LegalZoom, an online service that offers self-help. While creating Estate Planning documents is possible through online services on your own, it is not recommended. Although you […]

Medicaid is a government program that was created in the 1960s to help Americans who are unable to work receive long term healthcare. It is intended to pay the cost of this healthcare, even if the individual is unable to do so on their own. However, eligibility for this program has many rules and restrictions […]

There seems to be a shared misunderstanding about Estate Planning. This may come from making an assumption that for something to be considered an estate, it must be extravagant and expensive. However, as explained by caring.com in their article, Estate Planning 101, “In the eyes of the law, an “estate” is simply all the property individuals own, […]