Think Advisor’s recent article, “Investing in 529, ABLE Plans? Better Check Tax Law Changes,” says that the tax reform passed at the end of 2017 made important changes to educational 529 and 529 ABLE plans. The 2017 Tax Act expanded Section 529 plans, to include the use of up to $10,000 per year for elementary or secondary school expenses. The new law...
Continue ReadingA Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require background checks on those selected for appointment as guardians for the incapacitated. The Reading Eagle reports in a recent article, “Bill would require background checks for guardianship,”that Pennsylvania State Representative Mark Gillen is seeking co-sponsors for the bill, after he read about aReading Eagle investigation that found courts in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties...
Continue ReadingThe biggest hurdle to seeing a windfall from your rich grandfather isn’t the possible 40% estate tax. It’s your own relatives, according to CNBC in the recent article, “Say hello to the No. 1 threat to your $11 million inheritance.” A recent TD Wealth survey found that 44% of attorneys, trust officers, and accountants cited family conflicts as the biggest threat to...
Continue ReadingA North Carolina judge sentenced 41-year-old Charlinette Detmers to four years’ probation and ordered her to pay $30,000 in restitution. Wealth Advisor’s recent article, “Lover stole nearly $1M from her late husband’s estate on Lake Norman,” explains that court records identify the victim of her embezzlement as her son, Tols Detmers, who was 19 years old when he sued his mom and...
Continue ReadingJohn Mahoney, one of the stars of the Cheers spin-off Frasier, died in hospice at 77 last month. The highly honored actor reportedly left behind an estate worth more than $5 million, according to The Daily Mail’s recent article, “Frasier star John Mahoney ‘leaves behind $5 million-plus estate with 38 potential beneficiaries.’” The actor was known for his role as Marty Crane, the live-in retired father...
Continue ReadingMany of the most egregious crimes against seniors are unreported, and many of them are committed by family members. Forbes’s recent article, “5 Ways To Spot And Stop Elder Financial Abuse,” quotes NASAA President and Alabama Securities Commission Director Joseph Borg, who explained that “A guardian is a person or entity appointed by a court to exercise some or all authority over...
Continue ReadingThe Illinois Department of Human Services has 90 days from when basic Medicaid recipients apply, to determine if they are eligible for long-term Medicaid. If not, they’ll be automatically eligible for the long-term benefits, according to a recent ruling from a federal judge. The Cook County Record’s recent article, “Judge orders IL state agencies to move quicker on applications for long-term Medicaid...
Continue ReadingWhile you want to live a long and healthy life, you might not want to live too long. That’s because you’ll need to have saved enough money to take care of yourself until the end of your life. The Washington Post recently reported in its article, “Your long life could be the death of your retirement savings,” that one thing is certain:...
Continue ReadingA petition was recently filed in San Diego probate court, through an attorney, by the family of James Donald Hess. They accused his new wife and former caregiver of “physically and verbally abusing him and asserting undue influence over him.” ABC 10 News San Diego reports in its story, “Family questions elderly father’s marriage to caregiver,” that Don Hess isn’t in the...
Continue ReadingThe Journal-News reports in the article, “105-year-old woman trying to help grandson gets scammed out of $4,800,” that Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser remarked that “When you steal from the elderly you are looking at a felony, we are going to pay attention to that.” Assistant Prosecutor Gloria Sigman successfully prosecuted three scammers, a couple who scammed a 105-year-old grandmother out of...
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