TOD / POD, beneficiary designations, and joint tenancy can be simple ways to transfer assets at death. However, these simple methods lack some of the benefits of a trust. Read on to learn more. by Steve Hartnett 0 Comments TOD (Transfer on Death) designations, POD (Pay on Death) designations, and beneficiary designations can be useful in the right circumstances. Each of these tools allows for an automatic transfer to the named beneficiary at the death of the owner. But these tools … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations, etc., Aren’t a True Substitute for a Trust
Estate Planning Considerations – Beneficiary Designations
This article focuses on beneficiary designations and the need for coordinating them with the overall plan. This is part of a series of blogs on important estate planning considerations. I’ll intersperse these blogs with other timely blogs. The first article in the series showed how an estate plan prepares one for incapacity during life and not just for the distribution of assets at death. The second article in the series focused on how an estate plan should take into consideration the … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Considerations – Beneficiary Designations
Last Will and Testament 101
Estate Planning: Last Will and Testament 101 I hear people all the time say why do I need a last will; it’s all going to go to my spouse anyway. Then I tell them the following story. I recently ran into an old friend whose spouse had passed away unexpectedly. She soon found out that her spouse did not have a will. She assumed that because they were married, everything would go to her when her spouse passed. Boy was she wrong. When a Kentucky married resident dies without a will, their … [Read more...] about Last Will and Testament 101
Life Changes
Life changes...Heraclitus said, “The only thing that is constant is CHANGE.” As our children create new chapters in their lives and we begin new phases of ours, we look upon these milestones years later and remember life’s changes. As Christina’s children, Ethan and Ella, get ready to go to new schools, Windy’s child, Abigail, embarks on a new journey as she faces school for the first time. Life is constant change. We will all face changes and transitions as we travel through life: going to … [Read more...] about Life Changes
You Never Know: Planning for the Unexpected Death
This article examines the unexpected death of two people who died from doing very typical things. Risks might be re around the corner, even in seemingly safe endeavors, so you should be prepared. The article looks at the elements of a basic plan. Ordinary Day Scenarios On a hot summer day, few things are more fun than swimming. Hannah Collins went swimming on such a day in the Edisto river near Charleston, South Carolina. She swam often and was nicknamed “river rat” by her father. But, while … [Read more...] about You Never Know: Planning for the Unexpected Death
