In Trusts We Trust: Controlling When Your Kids Get Your Money
You don't have to be a billionaire to worry about the risks of leaving your kids a large inheritance; having too much money too young can create its own problems.
You don't have to be a billionaire to worry about the risks of leaving your kids a large inheritance; having too much money too young can create its own problems.
If you haven't checked the beneficiary designations on your financial accounts lately, you really should. It's quick, easy, and though it may not sound all that important, getting it squared away now could make a huge difference to your family later.
The fiscal-cliff compromise kept the federal estate tax exemption at its former level of $5 million, but many state governments are imposing estate or inheritance taxes on more modest amounts.
Many people put off doing estate planning on the grounds that it's too complicated. But it's not that difficult, and the right moves can save both you and your family a lot of trouble down the road. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the various stages of your life.
Infighting among heirs is on the rise, thanks to the weak economy, the increase in blended families and a host of other factors. Probably the biggest is simply poor planning. Life is complicated enough, so don't bequeath a battle to your family. Here's some straight talk about a touchy topic.
After the Great Recession and with volatile stock markets and unemployment keeping Americans jittery, more people are ready to commit to improving their personal financial situation in 2011. Here are a dozen steps that can help put you on the road to fiscal security.





