Friday, May 01, 2009 Press Coverage of Estate Planning This Week (May 1, 2009)Michael G. Shinn writes in The Seattle Medium that estate planning is the most overlooked area of financial planning. He quotes a funeral home director who claims that 80-90 percent of decedents don't have any estate planning. See Your Money Really Matters: "An Encounter with the Undertaker" (Apr. 29, 2009).
Paul Sullivan of the New York Times writes about the basics of life insurance and disability insurance, and how they sometimes function as estate planning tools. See Life and Disability Insurance: What You Need to Know (Apr. 29, 2009).
Kathleen M. Rehl writes in Investment News how a legacy letter, also known as an ethical will, can enhance what you leave to your children, and also be a profound experience for the writer. See Passing on More Than Just Money (Apr. 26, 2009).
Kirk Shinkle of U.S. News and World Report discusses ways to efficiently make lifetime and testamentary gifts to those most important to you, including your pets. See How to Give: Tips for Passing on Wealth to Kids, Your Charity, and Your Dog (Apr. 28, 2009).
Shaila Dani of the Associated Press discusses how the depressed economy makes this a good time to pass on assets to your children through gifts, intra-family loans, family limited partnerships and charitable lead trusts. See Downturn Markes it a Good Time to Share Wealth (Apr. 26, 2009). |