Rethinking the Role of Household Debt
Many people aspire to pay off their home mortgages before retirement, but the housing situation and a weak economy have taken a toll on the finances of many older Americans. There are some compelling reasons why pre-retirees might want to consider maximizing their retirement plan contributions and avoid carrying large amounts of debt into retirement.
Giving Strategies That Can Give Back
Americans gave more than $290 billion to charity in 2010, despite the slow economy. About 73% of charitable donations came directly from individuals. This article explains how a charitable remainder trust and a charitable lead trust could be used to provide more control over gifts while potentially benefiting the giver and his or her heirs.
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
Only 35% of Americans have a will, yet it's a relatively simple legal document that every adult should have, regardless of wealth or age. Dying without a will can lead to unwanted outcomes and potential problems for heirs. This article discusses the importance of a will and other estate conservation documents.
Doing Your Heirs a Favor
Although a will and a trust specify disposition of assets, many other details of an individual’s final wishes might be explained in a letter of instructions. This article offers some topics to consider addressing in the letter to help loved ones make decisions and take care of final arrangements.
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