Divorce can be a complicated and challenging process in which details are easily overlooked. Protecting your financial health during this time is crucial, and no one should enter this process without a trusted attorney (specializing in divorce) on his or her side. Equally important is knowing the...

What does giving to charity mean to you? Perhaps you think of dropping your change into a can at a local shop or placing a few dollars into a Salvation Army kettle during the holidays. Maybe you’ve bought Girl Scout cookies or donated clothing to a local relief organization. Opportunities for...

In addition to the altruistic and goodwill benefits any charitable contribution brings, it can also have significant tax advantages. When deciding your estate-planning strategies, consider a charitable contribution to help the charity of your choice as well as provide you with a steady stream of...

How can you help your heirs sustain what you’ve created? Your wealth has meaning. It should be conveyed to your heirs or your favorite causes in a way that expresses your values. Through legacy planning, that objective can be realized. Legacy planning encompasses more than the transfer of assets....

Because you’ve worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family and loved ones, you’ll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may be able to minimize gift and estate taxes and preserve...

As more Americans shoulder the responsibility of funding their own retirement, many rely increasingly on their 401(k) retirement plans to provide the means to pursue their investment goals. That’s because 401(k) plans offer a variety of attractive features that make investing for the future...

College won’t pay for itself. How will you pay for it? You may have more choices than you think. Is creating a college fund on your to-do list? Consider these options. 529 plans. Anyone can contribute to these savings vehicles. Some let you prepay college tuition; others allow you to accumulate and...

Many families cite saving for children’s or grandchildren’s education as one of their top financial goals. If you are among this group, you may want to consider a 529 college savings plan or a Uniform Gifts (or Transfers) to Minors Act account (UGMA or UTMA) — or some combination...