Signs Your Parents Need Help Managing Finances

Even the best financial plan can’t overcome the effects aging have on a person’s ability to make financial decisions. Though people are living healthier for longer, there is already evidence that a person’s financial decision making peaks in their 50s and by age 60, the ability to process...

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The Conversation Every Family Needs to Have

Studies show how difficult it can be for adult children and their parents to talk about their wishes and plans regarding caretaking, finances, estate planning and legacy issues as they age. While most elderly people don't want to become financially dependent on their children, some four in 10 families...

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The conversation you need to have with your parents

Turmoil and mistakes could have been avoided with planning, but these are difficult conversations for families. Often, the focus is on money, a topic fraught with emotion. Sibling rivalry and resentments can interfere with setting priorities. Responsibilities need to be divided fairly, but fairness is often a matter of opinion.

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Who is the Best Choice to Manage Your Trust?

In addition to having the ability, inclination, and time to perform the required duties for your trust, the person you name as trustee should be able to navigate family dynamics and mediate any disputes. For more complex trusts, appointing an agent of the trustee or a corporate trustee may be the best way to keep peace in the family.

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Are You Trust-Worthy?

Because a will only goes into effect after you die, it doesn’t provide any direction for your family if you become seriously ill or disabled during your lifetime. However, just as an advanced directive can provide guidelines for those who make decisions about your medical care, a trust can provide direction for the person who manages your financial assets if you are unable to.

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Navigating Relationships

Making decisions with your spouse or partner can be tough sometimes, but even more so when it involves money and your relationship is undergoing change. Studies show that money is the #1 source of stress for U.S. adults (higher than work or family responsibilities) and the top source of stress for couples. And even for couples who don’t squabble, it can be a difficult conversation because each person comes to the discussion with a unique viewpoint based on his or her own experiences and emotional needs.

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