Death

Digital Asset Management: What Happens to My Online Accounts When I Die or If I Am Incapacitated?

In 2023, most people have shifted (whether you wanted to or not) to living mostly online. Between keeping up with social media and managing your finances, the average person has more than 90 online accounts. When dealing with estate planning, the common agenda is to ensure that you and your family are taken care of […]

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Estate Taxes Across the U.S.

It is human nature to feel that we are overtaxed.  And yes, rates for one tax or another will vary from state to state.  We have what are commonly referred to as death taxes.  These are usually identified as an inheritance tax or an estate tax and vary by state.  Estate taxes are based on […]

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Your Spouse Has Passed – Now What?

Your spouse has passed – what do you need to do?  Many times, there may be very little for you, as the surviving spouse, to do after the funeral.  However, everyone is different and what your relative or neighbor may have experienced is not what is true for your situation.  The list below is but […]

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Income Tax Return for a Deceased Taxpayer

Are you aware that a final Form 1040 should be filed for a deceased taxpayer?  Usually, the surviving spouse or the estate representative files a final individual income tax return for the deceased taxpayer.  If there is a surviving spouse, the return is filed with the same filing status as prior returns were filed.  The […]

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Would You Help Someone Die?

What would your reaction be if someone you loved asked you to help them die?  If someone was diagnosed with a terminal illness and the loved one was taking the necessary steps to acquire the medication necessary to end their life in their own timing, how would you feel?  It is becoming more available for […]

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Green Burials

These days, we hear much about “going green”, leaving an “environmental footprint”, “climate change”, etc.  We are all responsible to do our part to preserve and protect our environment while we are alive.  But, what about after we die?  Can you still do your part? Hmmmmm. Think about how much wood is used to make […]

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Funeral Service Shopping: Planning Tips Part 3 of 7

This is Part 3 of my series on Funerals, a subject we don’t like or want to think about.  But, a very important one. PART 3 – FUNERAL RELATED FEES Funeral costs include basic services fee for the funeral director and staff, charges for other services and merchandise, and cash advances. Funeral Fees The Funeral […]

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Funeral Service Shopping: Planning Tips Part 2 of 7

This is Part 2 of my series on Funerals, a subject we don’t like or want to think about.  But, a very important one. PART 2 – The FTC Funeral Rule The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), makes it possible for you to choose only those goods and services you want […]

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Funeral Service Shopping: Planning Tips Part 1 of 7

With what the world has been experiencing in the past several months, many people were not prepared for the loss of loved ones.  It is a traumatic time and one that we would rather not think about.  However, it is a fact of life that most of us will at some point in our lives […]

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The Perils of Joint Accounts

Joint Tenancy With a Right of Survivorship (JTWROS) is a manner by which many of us hold bank and other financial accounts with others.  It is a traditional method of account ownership that has many benefits.  It commonly reflects the unity between spouses.  It avoids probate when one party dies.  It can be used for […]

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