Estate planning can be a daunting task to begin. They force you to face your own mortality and examine the relationships you have with those closest to you. Here are five simplified steps to take when you set out to make an estate plan. 1. Make...
People over 50 control over 70% of the nation's wealth. This makes elders prime targets for financial abuse and fraud. Read on to learn the signs of elder financial abuse. What is financial abuse? Elder financial abuse includes many behaviors. Taking money or property and forging the...
Talks of tax reform are always ongoing in government. Currently, the federal estate tax, otherwise known as the death tax, has been placed on the chopping block. So, what will it mean for you and your family's estate plan if the death tax is axed?...
A person's life's work tends to become a large part of who they are. In Marvel comic book writer Mark Gruenwald's case, he became a part of his work. Gruenwald died of a heart attack in 1996 at age 42. He made his last wishes...
As far as famous Nebraskans go, Willa Cather's name is not among the most easily recognizable. Her work, on the other hand, is. Cather, who grew up in Nebraska, authored multiple books about pioneer life on the plains. Many of her characters are based on...
Rapidly advancing technology has given way to new forms of online communication and personal expression. Most people have at least one social media account, if not multiple. Additionally, written communication is transitioning to a digital format. Emails are replacing letters. Bank statements are now available...
A funeral is a celebration of a life, which is why careful consideration and planning go into deciding what songs should be played and which bible verses read. Everything from the flower arrangements to pallbearers reflects who and what the deceased loved and valued during...
Preparing to send a student off to college is equally as exciting as it is challenging. From a toaster to toiletries, you want to make sure your student has everything they need to leave the nest and head out on their own. However, the independence...
A will is a legal document with instructions for divvying your assets between your heirs and beneficiaries. While a standard will includes provisions for things like who should get the family china and plans for your funeral, some people think outside the box when it...
At home DNA testing kit commercials are everywhere, but before you send away for one, consider an alternative, more personal option for tracing your family history: probate research. Probate research involves looking through probate records. Probate records are created when someone dies. This is similar...