Dying intestate — without an estate plan — leaves behind a nightmare for your loved ones. It ties them up in probate court trying to sort out your estate, often for years. That legacy of chaos and contention is the last thing most of us want to leave behind. That means you need to create … Read more
Buying a home comes with a hundred decisions, large and small. And some are easier to answer than others. Do I have time (and patience) for a fixer-upper or should I shell out the extra cash upfront for a turnkey property? How committed am I to a big tree in the front yard? Do I … Read more
There is one guarantee in life that none of us can escape: We will all die someday. If we’re lucky enough, we’ll do this when we’re old, slipping peacefully away in our sleep, but inevitably, it will happen to each of us. Unfortunately, too many of us pass away without leaving a will or other … Read more
The median home price in the United States hovers around $200,000, which means your home is the biggest investment you’ll likely make in your life. The purpose of homeowner’s insurance is to protect that investment should it be damaged or destroyed. That said, it’s pretty important. However, protecting such a big investment doesn’t have to … Read more
For nearly a century, USAA (United Services Automobile Association) has offered an ever-growing suite of financial products to active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their family members. According to its website, the San Antonio-based private organization was started back in 1922 by 25 military officers who couldn’t find an insurance company … Read more
If you have a bank account – or even if not – you’ve likely heard of FDIC insurance. FDIC insurance is deposit insurance overseen by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a federal entity created by the Banking Act of 1933. FDIC insurance guarantees the safety of deposits in checking, savings, and CD accounts held with FDIC … Read more
If you have a bank account in the United States, your deposits are almost certainly insured by a U.S. government agency called the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. FDIC deposit insurance protects your deposits in the event your bank fails or becomes insolvent, so if your bank isn’t FDIC-insured, you should switch as soon as possible. … Read more
Your bank’s “member FDIC” logo isn’t just there for decoration. It’s meant to reassure you and your fellow customers that the bank carries FDIC deposit insurance, which protects your deposits up to applicable legal limits should the bank go out of business. Every “member FDIC” bank in the United States carries FDIC deposit insurance. Currently, … Read more
The death of a family member or loved one is a difficult time for anyone. The last things you want to think about are the next practical and legal steps. While many of these steps are simple, some can be time-consuming and involve complicated legal issues. Nevertheless, these steps are necessary, and important, and being … Read more
If there is a list of topics people don’t like to discuss, death and debt are near the top. However, like many important legal and financial issues, every responsible adult should have at least a basic understanding of how debts left behind after death can affect survivors. Who pays for such debts? Are debts passed … Read more
