That last will and testament you have tucked away? It may not be the last word on what happens to your stuff after you are gone. Instead, that legal document’s directives for doling out your wealth may be overruled by other paperwork and relevant laws.
Inherited assets come with benefits, along with some burdens
Despite the pandemic, many Gen Z’ers are graduating from college and setting their course for success. This is a generation of young people who know what they want out of life and have the financial literacy tools – from podcasts to online platforms – to save for retirement, maximize their savings and achieve their goals.
What Is Cryptocurrency? Why Has It Been So Popular?
Think you won’t qualify for life insurance in retirement? Guess again.
Each type of retirement benefit has a different eligibility age. Your age plays a big role in how much you can expect to receive from Social Security and what you need to do to avoid retirement account penalties.
First, before making a gift or bequest outright to your youngest son, consider whether now or in the future he will possibly be eligible for governmental assistance based on his disability and his own assets.
My boyfriend and I have lived together for 13 years but he is still officially married to another woman. He has a life insurance policy and I’m the beneficiary, and I’m also the beneficiary of his 401(k). Do we need a will and do I have to worry about his wife getting the money?
A proper estate plan will help those left navigate the disposition of assets and the probate court system, especially for unmarried couples and some married same-sex couples.
Right now, gifts to trusts can take advantage of high tax exemptions and remove future appreciation of assets from taxable estates. One example available to spouses is making a gift to a trust that allows for a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) election.