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Help for Caregivers, Our Thankless Heroes
Caring for an aging loved one is an incredibly difficult job that is often thankless. Virtually everyone will need some help as they age, and most of us will resist that help as long as possible. Combine this with the love and concern that most children feel towards...
5 Estate Issues You and Your Family Should Plan For
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." When it comes to estate planning, this quote from Benjamin Franklin could not be more true. Oftentimes, people don't think of estate planning, or the issues related to it, until it is too late. As a firm who deals...
*NEW* GriefShare Group starting at Edwards Group
It hurts to lose someone. GriefShare brings help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. Edwards Group Chaplain, Carla Green, along with her husband Rick will be leading this support group for those who have lost loved ones....
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7 Questions to Ask In Order to Do Effective IRA Planning
IRA planning can be tricky. In order to make sure you plan as best as you can, you should discuss the following questions with your attorney and other advisors: 1. Will you need the IRA funds during your life? If not, you may want to convert to a Roth or use the RMD's...
How much is that estate plan in the window?
Asking how much an estate plan will cost is one of the last questions you should be asking when considering an estate plan. As an estate planning attorney, I often get asked the question, "Well, how much does it cost?" But we can't answer that question without...
Take Action Now: Update Your Beneficiary Designations
It is vitally important that you review all your beneficiary designations (life insurance, 401(k)s, etc.) every 2 years, or sooner in cases of births, deaths, marriages, divorce, job changes or retirement. Download our beneficiary designation form here. Read on to see...
Are Reverse Mortgages EVER Okay?
Reverse mortgages should only be used as a last resort. You know the old saying, "If it seems to good to be true, then it probably is." Well, it seems that saying could easily apply to the reverse mortgage industry. Because of that, if you are considering one, you...
10 Non-financial Planning Issues You Should Consider
Effective planning doesn't just involve money... We tend to do things a little differently around here. After years of doing planning the traditional way (and seeing ways that the process could be improved), I started my own firm. Not only is it important for me to...
Estate Planning is Like… Dave’s Favorite Sweatshirt
I have a piece of clothing we simply call "my favorite sweatshirt." I think it's about 20 years old. I may have had it when I graduated from law school in 1995. If not, I got it shortly after that. (The picture to the left is from 1998.) We have a family friend who...
What You Need to Know About Caregiving By 50, 60, 70
One of the best things about Edwards Group is the fact that so many of our clients become like family, so there is a lot of give and take. They learn things through our email newsletters, along with our extensive website and free workshops, but did you know that our...
3 Reasons the Majority of People Don’t Have a Will
It's vital that you do not take the ostrich approach to estate planning. A recent survey released by Rocket Lawyer found that 51% of Americans ages 55-64 don't have wills! That's a lot of people with their head stuck in the sand hoping things will just work out when...
Updated Dollar Amounts in 2015
Social Security and VA pension numbers will change in 2015, with Medicaid numbers staying the same in Illinois. Here's what you can expect: VA Pensions and Social Security will increase by 1.7% in 2015 Effective December 31, 2014 (but not seen in your checks until...
The Value of Family Traditions
Ah, the holidays... a time when Michelle and I enjoy spending extra time with family. Family history and traditions mean a lot to us. Part of that family history involves names. Here are some interesting name connections in our family: 1. Otis - Bailey and Cole are...