The call came four days after her husband died. A credit card company. Forty-one thousand dollars on his account. The representative told her she was responsible and asked when she could start paying. She was grieving and certain she had no choice. She started writing checks. She called me six weeks later, after three payments...Read More

She found the notebook in the top drawer of her mother’s desk. Six pages, every account listed by hand. Username, password, recovery question, one after another. Her mother had been organized her whole life, and the notebook was proof of it. Then she tried to log in. The bank account asked for a six-digit code...Read More

For many families, retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs are their largest financial asset. In fact, these accounts hold about $21 trillion nationwide and often make up more of a household’s wealth than even their home. But here’s the problem. What happens to those accounts after you die is not always simple, and small mistakes...Read More

Like buying a cheap car, bargain estate planning can leave your loved ones stranded. Here is why a Life and Legacy Plan is worth Your mom told you not to worry because she had taken care of everything. She chose you as her power of attorney. You were on her accounts to help pay bills...Read More

National Unclaimed Property Day, observed every February 1, highlights a surprisingly common financial issue. Billions of dollars in forgotten assets are currently held by state governments, waiting to be reunited with their rightful owners. This annual observance serves an important purpose. It encourages individuals and families to reclaim money that already belongs to them and...Read More