Wealth Management

An estate sale is more than a big garage sale because of the legal and emotional issues. Is holding an estate sale worth it? For a fast reality check, count the number of pieces of ordinary furniture and multiply by $10. Count the kitchenwares and multiply by $.50 or $1 per piece. Even at those low prices, the sale of an estate full of ordinary things can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.

When you are searching for the best charities to give your money to, it's a good idea to check into the organization's background and history. That way, you can be confident that your donation is truly helping those in need.

A funeral announcement is different from an obituary, and you need to follow the proper format when it comes to funeral announcement wording. A funeral announcement is a public notice that someone has died and funeral services will be held in their honor. 

We spend our lives trying to build our assets for retirement, and passing something on to our kids and grandchildren. We plan on how to save on income taxes, but overlook our estates. Many of us don't even have wills or have them up to date.

To double-taxation, some families choose to leave estates directly to the grandchildren. However, the Internal Revenue Service isn't going to let it go without getting their cut of your cash; hence the Generation Skipping Transfer Tax.

A will or testament is a document in which a person (the testator) assigns personal property rights to others following the testator's death. Learn how to write a will that is legally binding.

Proper funeral attire etiquette is confusing at a time when dressing for major life events has become increasingly relaxed.  There are still guidelines for proper decorum.

Many people are uncomfortable about what to say at a funeral. They worry about not saying the right thing or saying something that will upset a grief-stricken family member. When it comes time to express your condolences at a funeral, keep it simple and sincere. 

When looking for a living will template, understand that will language isn't the same in every state, so be sure you're using the correct language, and be as specific as possible about the treatments you are willing to accept.

According to proper funeral etiquette, thank you notes should go to anyone who sends a card, flowers or gift to the family. A sincere note will show your friends, family and associates that you appreciate their expressions of support.

When you are notified that someone has passed away, it's natural to want to give a gift to the deceased's family in their time of grief, but make sure you follow proper funeral gift etiquette. 

Under gift tax law, you're entitled to present a gift valued at up to $12,000 to any number of individuals per calendar year without paying gift taxes. Both you and your spouse are eligible for the exclusion, so using both exclusions, you and your spouse can give up to $24,000 to an individual per calendar year without incurring any additional gift taxes.

Assigning power of attorney ensures that your wishes are respected even if you cannot speak for yourself. Find out how to get started.

Although death is an uncomfortable topic, it is still important to begin to think about estate planning and writing a will.

Funeral resolutions are official documents that are read at the funeral and then stored in a church's records. Many churches have specific formats that a funeral resolution should follow.

To give someone the general power of attorney is to give him or her legal authority to make decisions on your behalf, should you be unable or incapable of doing so. Power of attorney for child care is a limited power of attorney status that gives your designated agent decision-making ability with regards to any of your minor children.

Trusts can help manage estate taxes and provide support for beneficiaries. Knowing the types of trusts will help you make sound estate-planning decisions.

Traditional funeral songs are appropriate for all types of funerals. These songs have stood the test of time as musical selections that can comfort and soothe during times of mourning. 

It's important to know how to write an obituary to share in the compelling narrative of the life and accomplishments of a deceased person. A traditional obituary covers many details about a person's life, from birth until death. 

It's kind to write a condolence message on stationery or a card when someone you know experiences grief or loss. However, when dealing with heavy emotions, many people are unsure of what to say or how to say it.