Friday, March 27, 2009 Press Coverage of Estate Planning This Week (March 27, 2009)Paul Sullivan of the New York Times recounts that in tough economic times, children are more apt to argue over provisions in their parents estate plan, given that there is less to go around. He includes general estate planning advice and some traps to avoid. See Smaller Though It May Be, It's Time to Look At the Estate (Mar. 21, 2009).
Karen Blumenthal of the Wall Street Journal provides advice on how to discuss financial issues with your parents. Topics might include how your parents are coping with the depressed financial markets, whether they are being pressured by telemarketers or others to purchase suspect products or other scams, and whether their estate plans need updating. For instance, some may need to lower the amount of charitable or other planned gifts in light of a smaller overall estate value. See Mom and Dad, You're Broke (Mar. 25, 2009). |