Finances
Spring Cleaning: Time to Review Your Finances, Social Media, and Stuff
There’s something about springtime — the longer days, the open windows, and that undeniable urge to clear out the junk drawer of our lives. We scrub the baseboards, donate the clothes that no longer fit, and finally tackle the garage. While you’re busy organizing your physical space, it’s also the perfect opportunity to review your …
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 — …
Received an Inherited IRA? What You Need to Know
After the death of a parent, you may be the beneficiary of whatever is left in their retirement account – whether it’s a 401(k), IRA, or something similar. Here’s how Vanguard explains the Inherited IRA: An inherited IRA, also known as a beneficiary IRA, is an individual retirement account that is opened when someone inherits …
Which Accounts Should Have Beneficiaries?
Setting up beneficiaries for your accounts is a core part of estate planning and can ensure your assets are distributed quickly and according to your wishes, often bypassing the time-consuming and costly process of probate. The general rule is that any account that allows you to name a beneficiary should have one. These designations typically …