The terms 401(k) and individual retirement account (IRA) are bandied about quite a bit when discussing retirement planning, but what are the actual differences between the two? The main distinction is that a 401(k) — named for the section of the tax code that discusses it — is an employer-based plan, while an IRA is Read more about Retirement Planning: What Is the Difference Between a 401(k) and an IRA?[…]

Creating a living trust provides an effective means through which the probate process is avoided and assets may be protected from a variety of creditors. In creating a living trust, people commonly think about assets like real estate and investment accounts of different types. Personal property must not be overlooked when it comes to the Read more about Personal Property and Your Living Trust[…]

Your parents’ health could be one of the many factors that long-term care insurance providers take into account when deciding how much to charge you. One large insurer has started rating applicants based, in part, on the applicant’s parents’ medical histories. Genworth, a major provider of long-term care insurance, announced that it would rate applicants Read more about Parents’ Medical History May Make Long-Term Care Insurance More Expensive[…]

Issues in Elder Law: Health Care Decisions for Others One thing to consider in elder law is who can or will make health care decisions for someone else Whether you’ve been thoroughly prepared for a long time, or you’ve been thrust into the situation by a suddenly ill loved one, making health care decisions for Read more about Issues in Elder Law: Making Health Care Decisions for Someone Else[…]