We look around us and we see the changing face of America. Americans are living longer now than ever before. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average life expectancy at birth is now 77.2 years. The life expectancy has ratcheted up gradually from 59.7 years in 1930. This, combined with an increased rate of divorce, results in more marriages per individual and more blended families. Let’s look at a typical situation. Susan and Mike have been married for 5 … [Read more...]
Choosing Beneficiaries Is Not Enough
Determining who should inherit your assets is a surprisingly difficult task for many of us. However, with time and due consideration, an answer comes. Now you are ready to tell the world who should inherit your assets and who should not get anything. This seems relatively straightforward. However, things often are not as simple as they superficially appear. Mary Bartels drafted a will in 1977 in which she left a sewing machine, photographs, and a china cup to her daughter. For her … [Read more...]
