Blog tagged as Estate Planning

9 Questions to Ask Yourself During the Estate Planning Process

10/05/2021 02:36 PM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

You want to check off all the boxes when it comes to making an estate planning strategy. But it can be hard to see what you may still be missing. As you work with your financial professional, start by reviewing these 9 questions.

Avoiding Probate And Why You Might Want To

10/04/2021 08:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Many people don't understand what probate is, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Probate is the legal process by which a will is validated. If there’s no will, it’s the legal process of settling a person’s affairs.

Estate Planning Awareness Month: Rethink These 8 Estate Strategy Myths

10/01/2021 02:40 PM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

With Fall in full swing, did you know it's National Estate Planning Awareness Month? If you've made assumptions about the estate planning process in the past, check out these 8 myths debunked.

Estate Plans: Not Just For The Wealthy

09/30/2021 08:59 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Many people also think they can put off estate planning if they're young and healthy. However, this type of thinking can put your family at risk. An estate plan covers a variety of different scenarios, and not just the passing of large amounts of wealth.

Do You Know Who You're Leaving Your Money To?

09/29/2021 10:02 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Sending your kid off to college comes with a hefty pricetag. As you begin the college planning process, keep these 5 common mistakes in mind.

Tax Planning in Turbulent Times Part 1: The Tools of the Tax-Planning Trade

08/31/2021 11:05 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

The particulars may evolve, but it seems there are always an array of tax breaks to encourage us to save toward our major life goals—such as retirement, healthcare, education, emergency spending, charitable giving, and wealth transfer.

Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass), Part 2: Step-by-Step Estate Planning

06/07/2021 08:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

If you’ve been putting off your estate planning, taking the initial steps can be daunting—but liberating. So, let’s get started today, one hurdle at a time.

Protecting What’s Yours (After You Pass), Part 1: The Importance of Estate Planning

05/24/2021 08:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

When you pass, you will leave behind an estate, and somebody will need to settle it. Your estate may be worth a little or a lot, but there’s no escaping death and taxes.

Possible Tax Changes That May Come With The Biden Presidency

11/13/2020 06:36 PM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

A major part of President-elect Biden’s proposed changes to taxation is his pledge to not increase taxes on those making less than $400,000...

What a Financial Planner Can Do For You

10/12/2020 09:00 AM By Mike Halper, CFP®, MPAS®, SE-AWMA®, CDAA, CBDA - Comment(s)

Financial planner. Financial advisor. Investment advisor. Investment manager. You may be wondering what they are and how they’re different. And most of all, you may be wondering what they can do for you and if you should have one.