Estate Planning

Probate is a Four-Letter Word

People seem to fear probate more than death, Teaching clients the basics can reduce their anxiety and poor outcomes. (By Seth Bier)

Are Pooled Special-Needs Trusts Safe?

A $100M+ theft and the recent bankruptcy of a special needs fund provider should encourage you to ask questions. (By Kristin Carleton)

5 Steps to Safeguard Your Client’s Estate

An estate-planning attorney discusses how to avoid probate, reduce taxes and protect assets from nursing homes.

Family of Beach Boys Founder Asks for Conservatorship

The family of Brian Wilson, the musical architect whose genius helped power the Beach Boys, is seeking to place him under a conservatorship.

Can Medicaid Take a Healthy Spouse Hostage?

Selling the family home may not be an option if the sick spouse requires long-term care — unless the couple plans correctly. (By Cathy Sikorski)

George Carlin’s Estate Sues Podcasters Over AI Episode

The lawsuit says the podcast makers infringed on the estate’s copyrights by training an AI algorithm on five decades of Carlin’s works.

Former Switchboard Operator Donates $1.7 Million to the Arts

An opera aficionado, she lived in a rent-controlled apartment and made plans to give away the money to cultural groups upon her death.

Estate Planning: What ‘Real People’ Want to Know

Here are three questions that families have recently asked me about estate planning – and how to answer them.

Wealth Manager Adds Estate Planning Specialist

The Chicago-based firm's hire follows a trend of advisory firms expanding their services beyond investment management.

Siblings Fight Over Estate of Mother Whose Land Yielded a T. Rex Skeleton

The mother got $8 million for a fossilized skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex named Sue found on her property.

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Stress Is Mounting for Working Women: Deloitte

Burnout is being fueled by inflexible return-to-office mandates coupled with lack of support in the office and at home.

Raymond James Welcomes Tampa, Fla., Financial Advisor With $125M

Sloane Fox and her practice, Sloane Financial Planning in Tampa, Fla., previously were affiliated with Merrill Lynch.

U.S. Annuity Sales Hit First Quarter Record of $113.5B, up 21%

Fixed-rate deferred annuities dominated in the first quarter with $48 billion in sales, 42% of the total annuity market.

Business Groups Sue FTC to Stop Noncompete Ban

The suit called the ban “a vast overhaul of the national economy, and applies to a host of contracts that could not harm competition in any way.”

FTC Issues Ban on Worker Noncompete Clauses

The Federal Trade Commission says employers can no longer, in most cases, stop their employees from going to work for rival companies.

Inspire Investing’s newest faith-based ETF surpasses $100M AUM in 11 days

The new Inspire 500 ETF offers access to U.S. large cap, “biblically screened companies” at the lowest price point available.

Biden Rule Grants Overtime Pay to 4 Million Workers

The new Biden rule goes even further to extend overtime pay than an Obama-era rule that was struck down in court.