What You Must Know About Your Right to Your Spouse’s Retirement Benefits

This week, I explain how the law affects retirement distributions for married couples, and why you need to be extra careful with your retirement planning if you’re part of a blended family. Read more…

Erica EndykeNovember 20, 2023

How to Talk Money With Your Family Over The Holidays

The holidays are a perfect time to bring up conversations around inheritance, end of life, and stepping into another level of connection and intimacy, if you do it right. Otherwise, it could end in a big unresolved mess. Asking your relatives how they want their money and belongings handled when they die or if they become incapacitated might not go over well while opening presents or carving a turkey. To keep your family from feeling blindsided and to make the most of your conversation, consider these tips. Read more…

Finances, Financial PlanningErica EndykeNovember 13, 2023finances, financial planning, holidays, planning, familygathering, family gathering, family holidays, family, plans

Transition to Adulthood: What Happens Legally When My Child Turns 18?

This week we explore what happens legally when your child turns 18, what it means for your ability to make legal, financial and healthcare decisions on their behalf, and what tools you’ll need for a smooth transition to adulthood. Read more…

Estate PlanningErica EndykeNovember 7, 2023adulthoodplanning, adulthood, estateplanningdocuments, estateplanning, estateplan, estate, powersofattorney, HIPAAwaiver, planningsession, planning, plans, adultplanningdocuments

The Scary Truth: Naming Godparents Does Not Create Legal Guardians

Many parents name godparents to mentor and guide their children throughout life. But the scary truth is that your children could still end up in protective services even if they have a godparent. Read more…

Kids Protection PlanErica EndykeNovember 1, 2023legalguardians, naminggodparents, naming guardian, guardian, guardianship, legalguardian, minorkidslegalguardians

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