“How criminals are exploiting personal information to target vulnerable seniors in elder fraud.” In 2023, people over 60 lost a whopping $3.4 billion to scams, a 10.6% increase from 2022, according to the FBI's IC3 reports.[i] Unfortunately, headlines similar to the one above are all too common nowadays. Anyone can be a target of professional fraudsters but seniors are more vulnerable than any other group. According to a recent article from the National Council on Aging[ii] the latest scams targeting seniors are: Imposter Scams Tech Support Scams Online Shopping Scams [...]

If you care about what happens to your money, home, and other property after you die, you need to do some estate planning.  There are many tools you can use to achieve your estate planning goals, but a will is probably the most vital. Even if you're young or your estate is modest, you should always have a legally valid and up-to-date will. This is especially important if you have minor children because, in many states, your will is the only legal way you can name a guardian for them. [...]

“…In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin penned this maxim in the late 1800’s, and it is as true today as it was back then. Indeed, taxes are a certainty, as we are reminded with every paycheck, purchase, and each April 15th. But death, and preparing for our own eventuality, is certainly overlooked. This concern is supported by a 2024 survey that reveals only 32% of Americans have an estate plan in place.1 There may be a myriad of reasons [...]