Two things are certain: death and taxes. Some of us grasp that reality early, so we create wills, living trusts and estate plans. Others deny this reality and leave their heirs with perplexing questions, added stress and even anger when they pass away.The truly farsighted among us opt for a full-fledged legacy plan.
Financial Steps to Take Before a Divorce
Before your divorce goes through, it will be wise to check up on financial matters. It will be better to assess the state of your financial life before the split rather than after.
DO YOU NEED A FINANCIAL PLANNER?
What does a financial planner do? Well, that depends. Many individuals refer to themselves as “financial planners”, but not all perform true multidisciplinary financial planning. Investment, insurance and tax professionals sometimes specialize in certain areas of financial planning (such as retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, or investment management). A Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner is qualified to give you comprehensive financial advice, as a result of examination, continuing education, board certification and accumulated experience.
COPING WITH AN INHERITANCE
Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have considered. Here are some things you may want to keep in mind if it comes to pass.
WHO NEEDS ESTATE PLANNING?
You have an estate. It doesn’t matter how limited (or unlimited) your means may be, and it doesn’t matter if you own a mansion or a motor home.
WHAT TO BRING TO A MEETING WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISOR
he financial planning process is not merely a matter of numbers. When you meet with a financial advisor to map out a strategy for wealth accumulation or wealth preservation, you may find yourself intellectually and emotionally engaged on a level you hadn’t anticipated. It may actually give you a better understanding of what you want from life.
WHAT TO DO FINANCIALLY WHEN A SPOUSE DIES
When a spouse passes away, the emotion and magnitude of the loss can send our lives reeling. This profound change can also affect our finances. All at once, we have a to-do list before us, and the responsibility of it can make us feel pressured. With that in mind, this article is intended as a kind of checklist – a list of some of the key financial matters to address following the death of a spouse.
WHAT EXACTLY IS WEALTH MANAGEMENT?
There’s financial planning, and then there’s wealth management. Think of wealth management as a step up from garden-variety financial planning. One office (rather than one person) provides a range of services for a client: personal financial planning and investment management, tax reduction and estate planning strategies, and occasionally in-house legal resources. Business continuation planning, tax preparation and even budgeting and bill paying are sometimes added to the menu.