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4 Questions to Answer When Facing a Healthcare Crisis
Most people don’t connect estate planning and a healthcare crisis. However, as people live longer and face the skyrocketing costs of aging in America, a new aspect of estate planning has emerged. We call it “Life Care Planning.” This type of planning addresses the...
The Driving Talk: How to Talk to Your Elderly Parents About Driving
Adult children face many difficult conversations with their parents, but the hardest may be how to talk to their elderly parents about driving. Before approaching this sensitive topic, it's best to understand what driving means to them -- and it goes much deeper than...
Bills, Debts and Taxes: Will your debts die with you?
So, who pays your debts when you’re gone? Your spouse? Your kids? What happens when someone dies, leaving debts and not enough money to pay them? The Good News About What Happens to Debts When You Die Here’s the good news: No one else is required to pay your debts, as...
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Halloween 2014
We ask our clients to share A LOT of personal information with us. It's necessary for us to help them in the most effective way possible. Because of that high level of trust we ask you to place in us, and because my family is so important to me, I love sharing my...
Summer 2014
Our clients share a lot of personal information about their families with us. And that's part of the reason I like to share my family with you. Families are why we do what we do! This summer we spent a week in Branson with my parents and brother's family. (The kids...
A Bad Heir Day: When Beneficiary Designations Trump Your Will
Download our Beneficiary Designations Form Many people incorrectly assume that all their assets will be distributed through their will. Unfortunately, this is a big misconception. A good example of this is retirement savings, such as an IRA or 401(k). These accounts...
How to Avoid an Estate Battle After You’re Gone
Creating a "special stuff list" will go a long way in keeping the peace once you're gone. Sadly, in my line of work, I see families fighting much more often than I would like. And while the media might lead you to believe it's all about the money, oftentimes the...
3 Myths About Retirement That’ll Cost You Money
Many people plan for retirement, but there are expensive surprises that can crop up around healthcare and derail your plans. Read on for 3 surprises about retirement that can cost you lots of money. 3 Myths About Retirement That Will Cost You Money 1. You'll retire at...