Probate, and How to Avoid It
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The topic of probate raises many questions, but the most frequently asked is a simple one: How can I avoid it?
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5 Key Items for Your Estate Plan→
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Creating an estate plan — a plan for what will happen to your property and assets when you die or can no longer manage your affairs — can be confusing and time-consuming. But having a few basic legal documents in place can make a big difference to your loved ones during a difficult time.
Work with a trusted attorney who understands your state’s estate laws to identify the best strategies for your circumstances. Here are five key estate-planning items to consider:
Read MoreInvesting for Small Business Owners: 3 Tips to a Better Portfolio
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For many small business owners, their business is their biggest asset as well as the largest producer of their family’s income. Business owners are entrepreneurs and are generally more comfortable taking on risks. For these reasons, small business owners face unique challenges when considering and selecting investments for their portfolios, and it’s important to keep in mind some basic investment principals. Not doing so can cause business owners to take on too much risk unnecessarily and can endanger their business and their income.
Read MoreYour Small Business Should Have Its Own Credit Score
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Many people understand the importance of their personal credit score. Most lenders use them to determine who will receive financing opportunities — such as auto loans, mortgages and lines of credit — and on what terms. Your score tells lenders how likely you are to repay loans.
But if you’re a small-business owner, your business can and likely should have a credit score separate from your personal one.
Read MoreTry This Checklist to Get Your Business Back on Track→
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It’s already late August — are you on track to reach the 2016 goals you set for your business at the beginning of the year?
If you are among the uncertain, don’t despair. It’s not too late to take corrective action, but first you must honestly assess your standing. This business checkup can help you identify where you are on track and where you may be falling behind.
Read MoreSimple Steps to Teach Your Children About Money
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As your children grow up, the lessons you teach them become more sophisticated. That should be true even when the topic is money. But many people are uncomfortable discussing finances, so you might feel unsure of where to start or how to convey increasingly complex concepts.
Here are a few conversation starters and activities you can use to begin — and continue — teaching kids about money and personal finance.
Read MoreNavigating the Divorce Process
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You didn’t plan on getting a divorce when you were getting married. But, things didn’t work out and now you are facing divorce. Divorce and be hurtful, stressful, expensive and a lengthy process. However, by keeping perspective and following some of these dos and don’ts you can protect your interest, help save yourself time and money, and set yourself up for taking charge of your future.
Read MoreHow To Manage Your Finances After a Layoff→
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With the news of the bankruptcy filing and the recent layoffs at Walter Energy and other companies, I am finding many employees have questions about how to manage financially after a lay-off.
My father, a third generation coal miner, recently retired from the Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) after 25 years of service.
I have seen firsthand the long hours and tough work that men and women dedicate to the mining industry. For anyone who has ever experienced a layoff, you understand the uncertainty and fear that often arises. Here are three tips to help reduce fear and manage financially in times of transition:
Read MoreNew to Investing? 4 Steps to Get You Started
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Investing allows you to put your money to work for you, growing your assets over time. And for many people, it plays a significant role in their ability to build enough wealth for major life events such as buying a home, having a family, and providing for themselves and their family during retirement.
If you are new to investing, understanding the basic building blocks of developing and implementing a strategy can help you get started on a sound financial plan. The four steps below will introduce you to the basics of investing, but I recommend working with a financial advisor who can help you match your investment strategy with your financial goals.
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