With dementia cases in the United States estimated to double by 2060—and roughly 42 percent of Americans over age 55 at risk of developing dementia according to recent research[1]—a diagnosis is something that more and more families will face. The statistics are sobering in the abstract. They feel different when they become personal. When early […]
Continue reading…The Window of Opportunity:Legal Steps to Take When You First Notice Memory Problems
You have been seeing the signs for months. Mom or Dad has not quite been themselves lately. They are forgetting things more often: appointments, addresses, payments, names. The other day, they got lost going to a place they have frequented for years. When you try to bring it up, they brush it off. “I’m getting […]
Continue reading…Planning Around Clutter: Tools Advisors Can Use Without Overstepping
People often accumulate personal belongings over time, from everyday items to sentimental keepsakes. While these possessions may seem harmless, they can complicate estate planning, slow administration, and create difficult decisions for heirs if not proactively addressed. Advisors do not need to tackle these issues alone or impose drastic changes on clients. Instead, they can provide […]
Continue reading…Practical Estate Planning Strategies When Letting Go Is Hard
Nothing in your home will stay yours forever. Every item—each wall hanging, piece of furniture, book, device, or collected trinket—will one day belong to someone else. Who that someone is depends largely on the decisions you make today. You do not need to adopt a minimalist mindset or purge everything of little value. Nor is […]
Continue reading…The Fiduciary Fallout of Household Accumulation
Many clients have accumulated belongings over decades, from everyday items to family heirlooms, which can create significant challenges for their heirs and fiduciaries. What may feel manageable during a client’s lifetime can become complex and time-consuming after they pass. When a home contains a large volume of personal property, organizing and distributing items can create […]
Continue reading…The Burden That Excess Belongings Place on Loved Ones
At some point, each of us may face the difficult task of walking through a deceased parent’s home. Empty in one sense—but not in another. The person is gone, but a lifetime of belongings remain. Going from room to room, drawer to drawer, and box to box can be part of the healing process. Handling […]
Continue reading…When “Stuff” Becomes a Planning Problem
Comedian George Carlin once joked that a house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more. “Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house,” he said. “Why? No room for your stuff anymore.” Although humorous, Carlin’s observation highlights a real issue that advisors encounter: Many clients accumulate […]
Continue reading…When Clutter Becomes an Estate Planning Problem
Comedian George Carlin once joked that a house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more. “Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house,” he said. “Why? No room for your stuff anymore.” For many Americans, that joke hits close to home. We have a complicated relationship […]
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How to Own Your Real Estate
Your real estate encompasses not only your primary residence but also any vacation homes, rental properties, or even vacant land you may own. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of property and your individual circumstances. Your Primary Residence How you own your primary residence affects your control over it while you […]
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Why Title Matters
Real estate can be owned in several different ways. The form of ownership, or how your property is titled, can determine how much control you have over it, how vulnerable your property is to creditor claims and lawsuits, and what will happen to it at your death. Individual Ownership One of the most common ways […]
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