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Showing posts from August, 2023

What is a Special Needs Plan?

Special needs planning involves developing a detailed financial and legal strategy to provide continuous support for individuals with disabilities, especially those who will require assistance throughout their lives. The main aim is to ensure that these individuals have a good quality of life while still being eligible for government benefits and help. These benefits often cover crucial services like healthcare, housing, and financial support. The goal of special needs planning is to manage finances in a way that doesn't put these benefits at risk. This type of planning includes several important parts: 1. Financial Planning: This step includes creating structures like trusts and investment accounts to offer ongoing financial help for individuals with disabilities. These setups are designed to supplement government benefits without causing the person to lose those benefits.  2. Estate Planning: This part involves carefully planning what happens to a person's assets when they pa...

Demystifying Estate Planning: More than Money and Mansions

Demystifying Estate Planning: More than Money and Mansions When you hear the word "estate," do images of grand mansions, piles of money, and luxurious belongings immediately pop into your mind? You're not alone. Many people associate estates with wealth beyond measure. However, the reality is far simpler and yet far-reaching than these flashy notions. Now hear this: the moment a person passes away, everything they own becomes their estate. Whether it's a lavish fortune or just a modest sum of $1000 in their bank account, it's all part of their estate. This realization takes estate planning out of the realm of extravagance and places it firmly in the context of everyday life. So, what exactly is estate planning?  At its core, it's a forward-thinking strategy that revolves around what happens to your belongings and assets once you're no longer around or are incapacitated. It's like painting a picture of your future, even if you won't be there to witn...