Just about the time you think the government has everything it could possibly need about you and your company, Congress passes The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and introduces a new, widely-required Beneficial Ownership Information Reports process. It is not something for most of America’s small businesses to ignore.

There are many documents that can help with the estate planning process, both official and unofficial. Even if you have many of the documents needed to legally convey for your end-of-life wishes, it sometimes pays to have some additional help. One such option for this situation is a letter of last instruction. A letter of… Your End-of-Life Wishes: What is a Letter of Last Instruction?

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always tough, but it comes with far more challenges if they died in their home rather than at a hospital or hospice. Whereas the hospital staff will take care of several important matters for you, if someone dies in their home, their family is left to… What To Do When Someone Dies At Home

With funeral expenses in the United States ranging anywhere between $6,600 and $15,000, there is an obvious incentive for people to look for ways to cut down on costs. Given that Social Security programs are among the most widely used benefits in the U.S., one might think that they can get some amount of money… Covering Funeral Costs: Can SS Lump Sum Benefit Do The Job?

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, the Social Security Administration allows those who receive regular monthly benefits to sign-up for a “Lump-Sum Death Benefit.” When they die, this $255 social security benefit will be awarded to an eligible survivor to help cover funeral expenses. Though it isn’t a lot of money, it can be… Who gets the $250 Social Security Benefit When Someone Dies?

Even when we know it’s coming, the death of a loved one is never easy to deal with. Yet it is especially taxing if you’re the one in charge of handling their affairs, as you have to balance the grieving process with several important personal and legal obligations. It can be difficult to know exactly… What To Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the obvious challenges of managing the estate of someone who didn’t leave behind a will is figuring out who is eligible to receive their assets and property. When you write a will, you are able to designate who gets with what, which greatly simplifies the process. Without one, however, it largely comes down… Intestate Succession: Who Is Next of Kin When There’s No Will?

One of the unfortunate facts of life is that many of us have far too many debts to fully pay off in our lifetime, with nearly 75% of Americans dying with outstanding debt.1 That can be a source of stress, as none of us want to worry about leaving debt behind that would burden our… You Can’t Take It With You: What Debts Are Forgiven at Death?

As we’ve previously covered, there are many things that need to be done when a loved one dies. One of the most important is contacting and notifying people of the death. Obviously, you will need to inform family, friends, co-workers, and employers, but there are also several government agencies, banks, creditors, and credit reporting groups… To Whom It May Concern: Who Should Be Informed When Someone Dies?

As we mentioned in an earlier blog post, dealing with the loss of a loved one is always a challenge, but it can be especially tough when you’re the one responsible for handling the various financial and legal matters that crop up after their passing. The grieving process makes it difficult to focus on important… 5 Things To Avoid When Someone Dies: How to Sidestep Common Mistakes

As we discussed in a previous blog post, probate can be a long and costly process, grinding the estate process to a halt as the court works out who should receive the deceased’s various assets. With this in mind, it is recommended that you have a will and other estate planning documents in order to… Estate Planning & The Probate Process: What is a Probate Lawyer?

Estate planning is important for everyone, no matter their age or financial status. It tells the world how you want your property, belongings, cash, and financial assets distributed, and if you don’t make those decisions while you’re alive and able, the state will make them for you after you’re gone. That said, most people are… Who Should Be on Your Estate Planning Support Team?

Most people create an estate plan to handle the various financial matters that will likely arise after their passing, but there are other factors that are just as important. One that many fail to consider is establishing a legal guardian for their children. While not necessary if they either have no children or all of… Estate Planning & Legal Guardianship: What Happens To The Kids When I’m Gone?

When it comes to estate planning, probate is one of those things that almost everyone tells you to avoid. This is with good reason: while probate is an occasionally necessary part of the estate planning process, it is almost never to the benefit of your beneficiaries. It complicates what should be the relatively simple process… What Is Probate & How Do I Avoid It?

Estate planning is something everyone needs to think about sooner or later, as it is the only way to ensure that your end-of-life wishes are followed. It’s a complicated and highly personalized process, as everyone has their own objectives when crafting their plan. Yet while most people have their own unique goals they’re looking to… Know Your Goals: 10 Important Estate Planning Objectives

As mentioned in our previous blogs on the topic, Medicaid planning can be a valuable investment for those looking to ensure that they or a loved one qualify for their Medicaid program. After all, the application process is complex, with even a minor misunderstanding potentially leading to a rejection. Having an expert legal and financial… Medicaid Planning Legally and Ethically, Part 3: Legal & Ethical Guidelines

In a previous blog, we discussed the basics of what Medicaid is and some of the challenges older people face when trying to get covered. Despite millions of Americans relying on Medicaid for medical assistance, the process of getting covered and receiving care can be complicated to the point of being impenetrable. Practically no one… Medicaid Planning Legally and Ethically, Part 2: The Planning Part

Receiving proper medical care in the United States can be a challenge sometimes, in no small part due to the many legal complications surrounding it. In particular, navigating the various requirements surrounding Medicaid can feel like putting together a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle while blindfolded. Some of this comes down to people waiting far too long… Medicaid Planning Legally and Ethically, Part 1: The Basics

Often when we think about a successful business, we focus on a single product or service as the source of their accomplishments. In practice though, while it is important to have a strong central offering to hang your hat on, the most profitable businesses tend to have multiple revenue streams at their disposal. This is… Diversifying Your Revenue Streams: Building Your Income as a Small Business Owner

There are certain terms that have a more general meaning to the wider public but mean something more specific when it comes to business. Two good examples of this are “donation” and “gift.” To some people, the two might are roughly the same thing, but When it comes to businesses and non-profits, they have very… Finding Additional Funding: Can My Small Business Accept Donations?

Entrepreneurs tend to create these kinds of opportunities for themselves where they can create something that results in a steady stream of passive income. Given how much work goes into running a business, these sources of passive income are good to have. As Barbara Carr, the CEO of Fuse Empire, often says, “One of the… Making Money While You Sleep: Passive Income from Affiliate Marketing

There are many definitions for “senior citizen,” “older adult,” or “elder” in the United States. In a way, this is to be expected: as healthcare and medical science improves, the average human lifespan gets longer, meaning what was considered “old age” just twenty or thirty years ago might not match up with most people’s perception… How Old is “Old”? When am I an “elder?”

Getting started as a business owner can be difficult, as most people don’t have the money needed to launch a business on their own, while banks typically only make loans to businesses with established operating histories. This means for first-timers, financing their business will likely require a different approach and some alternative strategies. Thankfully, there… Fueling Your Company’s Future: What You Should Know About Small Business Financing

As we grow older, it is important to invest time and energy towards planning for one’s retirement, considering their personal and financial needs for later in life. However, this can prove difficult, as many of us face several challenges that eat into our time and money. You go from a business meeting to your kid’s… The Sandwich Generation: Managing Finances While Feeling the Pinch

There are many different methods available to acquire funding for a small business, but most of them require the business owner to offer something in return. Loans need to be paid back with interest, venture capitalists demand ownership in exchange for funding, and crowdfunding projects often offer perks to those who invest. However, there is… Money For Nothing? A Quick Look at Small Business Grants