FCS5-481: Transferring Cherished Possessions: Who Gets What?

Nichole Huff | Aug. 15, 2022 (New)

Estate planning can be a complicated process, especially when considering how to transfer personal property to people who will want and care for it after your death. The task of sorting through a lifetime of belongings can be overwhelming. It's natural to feel a range of emotions or to procrastinate on the task to protect yourself from feelings that may surface. You also may be worried about treating all heirs fairly and not hurting anyone's feelings as you make difficult decisions. Being mindful of family dynamics while estate planning requires you to delicately balance financial, emotional, and psychological considerations.

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FCS5-479: Transferring Cherished Possessions: Where Do I Start?

Nichole Huff | Aug. 15, 2022 (New)

Look around your home. You may have a table passed down to you from a grandparent or a well-worn baseball glove from an uncle. You may own sentimental jewelry, a treasured collection of keepsakes, or an antique that has been in your family for years. Have you ever wondered how you came to inherit these items? Were they given to you directly by a loved one, or did you receive them when the estate was settled after that person's death? Cherished possessions can provide a sense of comfort while grieving the passing of loved ones and can represent a continuation of their legacy for those who inherit the items.

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FCS5-482: Transferring Cherished Possessions: How Can We Communicate Without Conflict?

Nichole Huff | Aug. 15, 2022 (New)

Discussing estate planning details with loved ones can be challenging. Depending on the family dynamics at play, these conversations may be emotional or even stressful if you're managing conflict or strained relationships. Developing a clear plan to distribute your belongings, as well as learning communication strategies to use while estate planning, can ease the process for everyone involved.

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FCS5-480: Transferring Cherished Possessions: What is Fair?

Nichole Huff | Aug. 15, 2022 (New)

As any parent, grandparent, or caregiver has experienced, the exclamation "But that's not fair!" has likely been voiced in your family on occasion. Similar sentiments also can be expressed when an estate is settled. This may happen if the will isn't clear or if it leaves the court or executor in charge of determining fairness. To avoid this, you will want to distribute your belongings in a way that minimizes potential conflict among your heirs.

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FCS5-475: Understanding Cryptocurrency

Nichole Huff, Kelly May | Apr. 11, 2022 (Minor Revision)

Cryptocurrency--such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ether, or others--is a form of digital payment consumers can use to buy goods and services. It exists without tangible corresponding bills or coins, and it is not issued or backed by government agencies. At its core, cryptocurrency is essentially digital computer software. People or entities can transfer it online without the need for a bank or financial institution. The currency is stored within a digital wallet that consumers can maintain either online or offline using a hard drive or paper printout.

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FCS5-476: The Costs of Distracted and Reckless Driving

Nichole Huff | Apr. 11, 2022 (Minor Revision)

In a world that constantly demands our attention, it is all too easy to become distracted while driving. From smart phones to smartwatches, interacting with something in our car, listening to a navigation system, or letting our minds wander behind the wheel, the temptations we often face when driving are endless. While these actions may feel harmless in the moment, they have the potential to be costly, both physically and financially.

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FCS5-428: Estate Planning Part 10: A Glossary of Terms

Nichole Huff | Apr. 7, 2022 (Revised)

A glossary of estate planning terms.

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FCS5-420: Estate Planning Part 1: Getting Started

Nichole Huff | Apr. 7, 2022 (Revised)

Many people fail to make plans to transfer their property and possessions at the time of their death. Some people think such plans are only for the rich. Other people think that they can plan for the transfer later and then never take time to do it. Some people think they do not need estate planning and that everything will be all right for their families when they die.

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FCS5-424: Estate Planning Part 4: Financial Planners

Nichole Huff | Apr. 7, 2022 (Revised)

The term financial planner is appearing with increasing frequency in advertisements (including unsolicited mail and social media) and news articles. The alphabet soup of financial planning credentials may lead you to believe that someone is a financial planner when in fact he or she is not. Some people who call themselves financial planners are nothing more than salespeople for stocks, tax shelters, insurance, and other investments and have no special training in financial planning. It is important to do your research before hiring someone to advise you financially, or to allocate or invest your financial assets.

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FCS5-436: Estate Planning Part 9: How to Settle an Estate

Nichole Huff | Apr. 7, 2022 (Revised)

There are only three basic steps to settling an estate. But working on each step requires time and patience. Settling an estate is done in these three steps: 1. File a petition to probate the will and appoint the executor or fiduciary. 2. File an inventory of the estate. 3. Submit a final accounting of the estate's affairs.