Tag: Trust

Where there’s a Will, There’s a Better Way

March 10, 2015 | By Steven DiGregorio

Once again a celebrity has died, leaving an estate in chaos. Clearly good intentions but poorly planned and with no follow through. As unfortunate as this might be, there are lessons to be learned and mistakes not to be repeated. Most recently, the Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman became deceased, leaving an estate reportedly worth […] READ MORE


The 5 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes

May 29, 2014 | By Steven DiGregorio

You’ve worked a lifetime for what you have. You did everything right; funded your retirement plan, paid off your home early, amassed enough savings to cover future expenses and even planned to leave a financial legacy to your loved ones. Too bad your ex-spouse—and his or her kids—will inherit it all… Estate-planning mistakes are both […] READ MORE


Estate Planning Document Essentials

May 30, 2013 | By Steven DiGregorio

Did you know that several states have investigated some of the country’s largest insurers for failing to pay out unclaimed life policies to beneficiaries? Under policy contracts, they aren’t required to take steps to determine if a policyholder is still alive, but instead pay a claim only when beneficiaries come forward. The lesson here: It […] READ MORE


How to Avoid Probate – Pay-On-Death or Transfer-On-Death

March 27, 2012 | By Steven DiGregorio

Using a payable-on-death or transfer-on-death account is the simplest way to keep assets out of probate. With either a transfer-on-death or a payable-on-death account, you are in control. The assets in the account pass directly to your named beneficiary and bypass probate, the court proceedings that validate your will after your death and transfers property […] READ MORE