Protect Your Wishes with The Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney Combo
Are you confused about the Health Care Directive? Is it the same as a Power of Attorney for Health Care? And what about a Living Will, DNR, or POLST? These…
Remove Beneficiary Designations on Non-Retirement Accounts
Naming a beneficiary on your investment account might seem like a smart way to avoid probate—but it could actually disrupt your estate plan. In this video, Beau Ruff explains why removing transfer-on-death (TOD) designations from non-retirement accounts can improve estate liquidity, simplify asset distribution, and ensure your will works as intended. Learn how centralized control and thoughtful planning can better serve your heirs and your legacy.
Reconsider Adding Children to Your Bank Account
Adding your child to your bank account might seem like a simple way to ensure they can help manage your finances—but it could create more problems than it solves. From unintended disinheritance and gift tax issues to exposing your assets to your child’s creditors, joint accounts come with hidden risks. In this video, Beau Ruff explains why a power of attorney is often a safer, smarter alternative for granting access without giving up ownership.
The Community Property Agreement
If you're married and living in Washington state, your estate plan might be missing a powerful yet simple tool: the Community Property Agreement. Despite Washington being a community property state, assets don’t automatically transfer to a surviving spouse upon death. This one-page document can streamline your estate plan, ensuring your wishes are honored and your spouse is protected. Learn how it works, when it’s right for you, and why it might be the most cost-effective estate planning move you can make.
Umbrella Insurance for Asset Protection
In the world of asset protection, one well-known concept to mitigate risk is to transfer the obligation for payment of a valid claim to another person. This risk mitigation is…
Special Needs Trust for Disabled Children
Diversity comes in many forms and many related ways of accommodating different needs. When parents are planning for the needs of children with disabilities, a product that should be considered…
Be Prepared to Take Beneficiary IRA Distributions in 2023
In 2019, The SECURE Act changed the rules concerning the distributions from pre-tax Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited through beneficiary designation (a so-called “Beneficiary IRA”). As with many such changes…
Prenuptial Agreements
Couples are often wary to bring up the dreaded P word when discussing their nuptials. After all, who wants to ostensibly discuss a divorce when there is an impending marriage…
Per Stirpes or Pro Rata? You probably want Per Stirpes
Periodically checking and updating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance is prudent. The next time you navigate the online portal or the old school paper form to write…
How to Avoid the Death Tax
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Taxes come in a wide variety of flavors (e.g., income taxes,…
