Year-End Tax Planning Starts Now: 8 Things To Do Now to Lower Your 2023 Taxes - Part 2

Last week we looked at four different ways to lower your tax liability for 2023. In this week’s blog, we discuss four more tax-saving methods you can use right now to owe fewer taxes come April 2024. Read more…

TaxesErica EndykeOctober 23, 2023taxplanning, taxplan, taxes, taxes2023, taxreturn, charitablegifts, charity, taxlossharvesting, taxloss, mortage, taxsavings, lowertaxes, IRA, financial planning, finances

Year-End Tax Planning Starts Now: 8 Things To Do Now to Lower Your 2023 Taxes - Part 1

It might seem early to think about your 2023 taxes, but it's the perfect time to take a closer look at your financial situation and make some strategic moves that can help you minimize your tax liability come April. Read more…

TaxesErica EndykeOctober 16, 2023taxplanning, tax, taxes, financial planning, IRS, 529plan, taxdeductions, taxwithholdings, 2023taxes, yearendtax, healthsavingsaccount, education 529 plan

Flu Season Fundamentals: How to Keep Seniors Safe This Fall

The fall season marks the beginning of flu season, which can pose a serious threat to your elderly loved ones. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ensure their well-being during the colder days ahead. Read more…

Estate Planning, Financial PlanningErica EndykeOctober 11, 2023estateplanning, estateplan, fluseason, seniorssafety, seniors, healthcare power of attorney, poa, HIPAAwaiver, HIPAA, durable power of attorney, estate, willsandtrusts

Massachusetts Estate Tax Update

Massachusetts embraces a significant tax overhaul, led by Governor Maura Healey, increasing the estate tax threshold from $1M to $2M starting in 2023. This shift not only offers relief for many but aligns the state with evolving federal tax standards. Read more…

Estate PlanningErica EndykeOctober 4, 2023estateplanning, estatetaxes, estatetax, massachusettslaw, estateplan, taxincrease2023, massachusettstaxincrease, governormaurahealey, federaltaxsystem, taxlaw, taxlaw2023

Got Minor Kids? 3 Instances When Your Estate Plan Must Include A Kids Protection Plan®

To make sure your child is always cared for by the people you love and never taken into the care of strangers, even for a minute, it’s crucial to have a full Kids Protection Plan®. Read more…

Kids Protection PlanErica EndykeOctober 2, 2023estateplan, estateplanning, kidsprotectionplan, kidsprotection, minorkidslegalguardians, caregiver, kidsprotectionplanning, comprehensive estate plan

From 'I Do' to 'What If': Estate Planning Must-Do's for Newlyweds - Part 2

Last week we started to explore the key estate planning components every newlywed couple needs to protect their rights, wishes, and plans now and in the future. This week, we’re continuing the conversation with three more estate planning must-do’s for newlyweds. Read more…

From 'I Do' to 'What If': Estate Planning Must-Do's for Newlyweds - Part 1

With all the joy and happiness a new marriage brings, planning for your potential incapacity and future death may feel out of place, but creating your estate plan as part of your post-nuptial to-do list is the greatest gift you can give your new spouse. Read more…

Estate PlanningErica EndykeSeptember 18, 2023estate planning, wedding plan, newlyweds mustdo, newlyweds, couple, marriedcoupleplanning, estateplan, estateplanning, estateplanningformarriedcouple

Got Intellectual Property? Include It In Your Estate Plan

If you create music, own a business, write stories, or build gadgets in your garage, you almost certainly have intellectual property. However, because intellectual property is intangible, it’s often overlooked in estate planning. Read more…

Erica EndykeSeptember 11, 2023

Help Your Parents Avoid These New Financial Scams - Part 2

In part one of this series, we explored two popular scams that are targeting older adults this year. In this week’s blog, I’m sharing two more scams that you and your parents need to be aware of, plus tips for staying protected. Read more…

FinancesErica EndykeSeptember 5, 2023financialplanning, finances, financialscams, phishingemails, scams, scammer, overpaymentscam, onlinescam, assetsmanagement, asset

AARP and The Red Cross Celebrate Make-A-Will Month, But Here’s What They Didn’t Tell You

AARP and the Red Cross celebrate Make-A-Will Month by encouraging you to make a Will for free online, but what they aren’t sharing could leave your family with a mess. Read more…

WillsErica EndykeAugust 30, 2023national make a will month, makeawillmonth, redcross, aarp, wills, assetsmanagement

Help Your Parents Avoid These New Financial Scams - Part 1

In this two-part series, we’ll explore four of the most recent and insidious financial scams that have surfaced, shed light on their tactics, and provide you with practical steps to shield your aging parents from potential harm. Read more…

FinancesErica EndykeAugust 22, 2023financialplanning, finances, financialscams, scams, financial, financialwealth

Can You Rely on Legal Insurance for Your Estate Plan?

Considering group legal insurance as a cost-saving option for your estate planning needs? It may seem like a good deal at first glance, but is it truly effective? Will a plan crafted through legal insurance actually stand strong and serve your family when it’s needed most? Read more…

Estate PlanningErica EndykeAugust 14, 2023estateplan, estateplanning, legalinsurance, insurance, legality, legalstrategy, planning, legalinsuranceplans, insuranceplans

Don’t Send Your Kids Back to School Without These Documents

As summer comes to a close, and back-to-school excitement fills the air, there is one crucial task that is often overlooked: designating legal guardians for your minor children. Read more…

Kids Protection Plan, Estate PlanningErica EndykeAugust 7, 2023legaldocuments, kidsprotectionplan, kidsprotection, agreements, shorttermguardians, longtermguardians, guardians, guardianship, adultplanningdocuments, minorchildren, legalguardians, backtoschool, powersofattorney, healthcaredirectives

10 Life Events That Signal It’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan - Part 2

Last week, we started to explore 10 life changes that might affect your estate plan. This week, we’re coving five more life events that mean it’s time to review your plan. Read more…

Estate PlanningErica EndykeAugust 2, 2023estateplan, estateplanning, estateplanningupdates, updatingestateplan, estateplanreview, estate, estate planning advice, estateplanningtips, incapacityplanning, statelaw, married, marriedcoupleplanning, divorce, assetsmanagement, assets

10 Life Events That Signal It’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan - Part 1

Common life events can drastically affect your estate plan and even cause your plan not to work in the way you intended. If any of these events have happened in your life, it’s time to review your plan. Read more…

What the National Debt Ceiling Extension Means for Your Family

Think the national debt ceiling extension doesn't concern you? Think again! It's a topic that might feel far-off, but in reality, it can directly affect your family's financial health and future plans. Dive deeper with us to understand how it matters to you. Read more...

Awakened Planning: How to Talk About Estate Planning at Your Family Reunion

July is National Family Reunion Month. If you’re getting together with family this month, it’s also a perfect time to talk to your loved ones about estate planning and the legacy you want to leave behind for the next generation. Read to learn practical tips and strategies for talking about it at your family reunion.

Estate PlanningErica EndykeJuly 11, 2023estate planning, estate plan, reunion, family reunion, .family gathering, family meeting, planning, estate plans, estate, family conflict, familywealth, family planning, legacy, familyslegacy, national family reunion month, plan

Estate Planning Pitfalls - 3 Mistakes That Could Make Your Estate Plan Worthless

Did you forget any of these critical financial steps when you created a Trust? Be sure to read this week’s blog to learn why proper funding of your Trust is essential to making it work! Read more.