Author: junger
Filing a Loved One’s Final Tax Return: What You Need to Know
Filing your taxes isn’t something most people consider to be easy, so when you have to file taxes for a recently deceased family member, it can feel downright Herculean. Between the emotional toll and the mountain of paperwork, many executors and surviving spouses find themselves staring at a pile of forms, wondering where to even …
The Final Statement: How to Safely Dispose of a Loved One’s Credit Cards
When a loved one passes away, the “to-do” list can feel endless. Between funeral arrangements and legal filings, the debit and credit cards sitting in their wallet might seem like a minor detail. However, leaving those accounts active is a major security risk. To a “ghost thief”— an identity thief who targets the deceased — …
Facebook After Death: A Step-by-Step Guide
Losing someone is incredibly difficult, and in the digital age, figuring out what to do with their online presence can add another layer of complexity. Facebook, being one of the largest social platforms, offers specific options for managing a deceased user’s account: memorialization or deletion. They also allow you to set up a “Legacy Contact” …
5 Reasons Someone You Trust Needs Your Phone PIN
We’re told from day one: Never share your passcode. In the world of cybersecurity, that’s great advice. But in the world of legacy planning, a locked phone is a digital brick that can keep your family from essential information when they need it most. Here are 5 reasons why “The PIN Conversation” is the most …
The “What If” Talk: How Much Life Insurance Does Your Family Actually Need?
We’ve all had that fleeting, middle-of-the-night thought: If something happened to us tomorrow, would my family be okay? As the ones usually managing the household “everything,” we know that “being okay” isn’t just about the bank balance — it’s about the mortgage being paid, the kids staying in their same schools, and the life we’ve …
The Professional Help for Managing an Estate
If you become the executor of an estate, while the final decision on matters may rest on your shoulders – it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. In all likelihood, you may serve as an executor a few times in your life; you’re probably not doing it professionally. So it’s crucial to surround yourself with …
Cleaning Out Your Parents’ House – With Your Siblings
Many children – whether they want to or not – take on the responsibility of cleaning out the family home when their parents die or need to downsize. This is a huge task, both physically and emotionally. You are not just dealing with “things,” but with decades of memories. And if you’re working with siblings …
New Parent? Now’s the Time to Get a Will
You’ve just had a child, and everything is brand new. Caring for another person – a little person – who needs constant attention is a dramatic shift in life. And you’re probably not getting as much sleep as you’d like. This is a pivotal moment in your life. With a new baby, your responsibilities have …
Where to Store Life’s Important Paperwork: Car Titles, Home Deeds, and More
Even in today’s digital world, the biggest and most important assets in your life still come with paperwork. If you own a home, you should have a physical deed to the house. If you own a car, you should have a copy of your car’s title. But where should you store these types of documents? …
Choosing a Legal Guardian: The Questions to Ask for Your Children
If you have underage children, then choosing who will be legally responsible for them if you are no longer able to is a difficult – yet immensely important – question. Deciding who should be your child’s guardian requires moving beyond pure legal or financial criteria and focusing on what is truly best for their long-term …