Will your business still be in the family 400 years from now? The answer to that is “probably not”. Statistically, only 40% of family owned businesses survive to the second generation, 12% to the third, and 3% to the fourth. One reason for this might be lack of interest by subsequent generations, another might be […]
Read moreThe most frequent fights upon the passing of a parent are not about the money, but about the objects that have sentimental value; your mother’s wedding ring, the family bible that has been passed down for generations, or your grandmother’s quilt. These are objects that may have very little financial value, but are filled with meaning […]
Read moreYou may not know that autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the country, according to the Autism Society of America, with a 10%-17% annual growth rate. These are disturbing numbers for parents and parents-to-be, especially when doctors aren’t always aware of the signs and indicators of autism. When doctors aren’t aware, and parents […]
Read moreYou’ve created your estate plan. Your trust is in place, your health care directive is signed, guardians for your children have been nominated and informed. Now you can sit back, relax, and breathe a huge sigh of relief . . . except you still feel there is something missing. How will your guardians know to pay for Kevin’s […]
Read moreI love movies. Reading about Laura Linney’s interview about her role in the 2007 movie, The Savages, reminds all of us the issue of caring for aging parents. “The biggest gift you can give me is to help me figure out what to do during that period of time. If we can talk about this […]
Read moreBaby-boomers aren’t called the sandwich generation for nothing. They knew they were going to have to provide for their own retirement and their children’s college education, but now they’re finding that they may have to shoulder the financial burden of their elderly parents’ final years as well. The pressure of providing for so many people at once […]
Read moreIf you’ve ever had to execute a deceased loved one’s estate, then you know what an overwhelming job it can be. Think about your own method of organization. Do you keep all of your financial papers in one place? Do you keep your birth and marriage certificates nearby and easily accessible? What about insurance forms, information about retirement plans […]
Read moreDo you know who will take care of you when you no longer able to take care of yourself? According to this article in Investment News, your caregiver is likely to be a woman, and most likely to be your daughter or daughter-in-law. What this means is that unless you have a plan for your […]
Read moreAccording to a recent article in the New York Times, the topic of marriage and family is still being hotly debated in our country. Although some states have granted same sex couples the option to choose a “civil union” or “domestic partnership” status, many couples say it isn’t enough. Because they cannot use the term […]
Read moreAccording to this article by the Associated Press, the tragic death of actor Heath Ledger is followed by the further tragedy of a Will that was filed in Australia in 2003 and never updated to provide for his 2 year old daughter with actress Michelle Williams. The entirety of Ledger’s estate is instead left to […]
Read more
