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.
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.
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.
In the world of asset protection, one well-known concept to mitigate risk is to transfer the obligation for payment of a valid …
Diversity comes in many forms and many related ways of accommodating different needs. When parents are planning for the needs of children …
In 2019, The SECURE Act changed the rules concerning the distributions from pre-tax Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited through beneficiary designation (a …
Couples are often wary to bring up the dreaded P word when discussing their nuptials. After all, who wants to ostensibly discuss …
Periodically checking and updating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance is prudent. The next time you navigate the online portal …
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Taxes come in …
Some readers have heard of personal asset protection strategies like trusts or limited liability companies. The draw to products like these is …
Parents that have built a successful business and have raised capable children might find the proposition of selling the family business to …
When people come together and vow to spend the rest of their lives together in wedded bliss, they sometimes bring to the …
Non-retirement investment accounts are often set up with wealth management firms. When the account is set up, there is an option to …
In most families, the parents dream of leaving a legacy to their children. Of course, the parents want to create a legacy …
Washington state estate tax got you thinking of moving away? Maybe other things have you thinking of relocating and the estate tax …
One of the challenges facing an individual that owns property outside of his or her state of residence is the fact that …
As higher education costs continue to rise, it’s important to consider how best to fund your child’s or grandchild’s education. I propose …
A trust set up for the benefit of your spouse can provide powerful protection for your spouse while at the same time …
What is a charitable giving technique that doubles as a wealth transfer technique to avoid estate taxes and at the same time …
In the world of property privacy planning, it would be nice if a single solution existed to protect a person and his …
One of the biggest areas that is often overlooked in an estate plan are the seemingly innocuous beneficiary designations tied to assets …
