What You Should Consider Before Scattering a Loved One’s Ashes

Saying goodbye to a loved one is heartbreaking. Making final arrangements can be overwhelming and knowing what you are allowed to do to fulfill your loved one’s wishes is important, but it can also be confusing. If the person you lost wanted to be cremated and...

Is a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust Right For You?

What is a GRAT? Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) -are a mechanism by which wealthier individuals and couples can transfer appreciating assets to their heirs and minimize gift or estate taxes. High-net-worth individuals and couples can use GRATs to freeze the...

The Ins and Outs of Estate Sales

Following the death of a family member, you may find yourself needing to sort through many possessions accumulated over the deceased’s lifetime. An estate sale is one way to distribute those items that you do not want or need quickly and efficiently. While...

It Pays to Be a Smart Shopper When Buying a Medigap Insurance Policy

Medigap premiums for plans from insurance companies offering the same benefits vary widely, so it pays to be a smart shopper. Federal law requires that each insurance company offers the same benefits for each of the Medigap plans lettered A through M, but each company...

The Powers and Responsibilities of Representative Payees

Do you have a friend or loved one who receives Social Security and is unable to manage her payments? If so, you can request that the Social Security Administration (SSA), the government agency that disburses Social Security, name you as the representative payee for...

When Is a Nursing Home Eviction Legal, and What Can I Do?

Worried senior woman reading eviction notice. Nursing home evictions, or involuntary discharges or transfers, disrupt the lives of residents, leading to homelessness, separation from familial support systems, and loss of care. As federal law covers all federally...