Don’t Overlook Beneficiary Designations In Your Estate Planning

I’ve written previously about the importance of making sure that you have beneficiaries designated for assets such as life insurance and retirement accounts. Proper beneficiary designations are a key component of estate planning. Naming beneficiaries of certain assets, like life insurance or retirement accounts, is the most effective way to make sure assets pass to the intended parties […]

Post-Bankruptcy Mortgage Modification

A client contacted me regarding a potential home mortgage loan modification. The client had filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy two years ago and received a discharge of all of her debts, including the mortgage loan debt. She wanted to pursue a loan modification under the federal government Home Affordable Modification Program, the “HAMP” program. Her concern […]

The Markets are Declining; Is It Time to Convert to a Roth IRA?

The last few weeks have been pretty dismal for investors.  (As of this writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Index is down about 2,000 points from its 2015 highs.) No one likes to see the value of their retirement accounts decline, but long-term investors know that market declines are inevitable. One of the keys to successful […]

Critical Estate Planning Steps for College Students

College students are getting ready to head back to school. Whether your child goes away to school or commutes from home, don’t let them start the school year without taking these critical estate planning steps: Have your student sign a medical power of attorney. If your child has an accident or becomes seriously ill, unless your […]

Social Security Introduces Digital “My Social Security Account”

With the advent of new digital technology, you may now manage your Social Security account online using your own personal “my Social Security account.” Setting up a “my Social Security account” is quick, secure, and easy. Over 18 million Americans have already done so. A new account is opened approximately every 6 seconds.  A “my […]