The Importance of Estate Planning

-



 



We all know that Estate Planning is important… or do we?

Estate planning can be used to determine who inherits which possessions or assets, but it does much more than that. Estate plans are legal documents that:

  • Protect beneficiaries: especially important when young children are involved
  • Minimize taxes: even a small amount of planning can reduce the amount of estate and inheritance tax incurred
  • Prevent family fighting: no matter how close or lovely your loved ones are, no one is at their best when there has been a death in the family.

So how to get started? Educate yourself on basics. Read on your own or attend:

  • August 4th at 12pm Estate Planning with Sharon Winn
  • August 16th at 11am VEN Advanced Care Planning Overview

Once you feel ready, make an appointment to review & update or create an estate plan of your own.

For more information check out InvestEAP’s Legal Resource Center.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Positive 'To-Do' List of 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself this Year:

-
Image
Start spending time with the right people.   These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways.  They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally. Start facing your problems head on.   It isn't your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them.  Problems will not disappear unless you take action.  Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you've done.  It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch.  These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run. Start being honest with yourself about everything.   Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed.  Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become.  Be honest with every aspect of your l...
Read more

Are you Balanced??

-
Image
Have you ever wondered if you need to improve your balance? There are a variety of simple tests you can do to see how you measure up to National Standards! For the Stork Balance Test: Remove your shoes and place the hands on the hips, then position the non-supporting foot against the inside knee of the supporting leg. Take one minute to practice. Raise your heel to balance on the ball of your foot. The stopwatch is started as the heel is raised from the floor. The stopwatch is stopped if any of the follow occur: the hands come off the hips the supporting foot swivels or moves (hops) in any direction the non-supporting foot loses contact with the knee. the heel of the supporting foot touches the floor. For the Balance Beam Test:  You will have 30 seconds to walk the entire length of the beam/curb (approximately 4 inches wide and 20 feet long) and back. Start at one end, step up onto the beam, walk the length to the other end, make a 180 degree turn and return back...
Read more

Focus on Finance: Establishing an Emergency Fund

-
Image
Planning ahead and creating an emergency fund is one way to give yourself a buffer from financial burdens and peace of mind by expecting the unexpected.  There are important links between  money and mental health . U nderstanding how they affect each other can help you achieve better financial and mental health. What:  An  emergency fund  is designed to protect you against unexpected expenses.  These could be a serious illness or a very big home repair.  To prepare for these types of events, it is important to save between 3-6 months’ worth of expenses depending on your situation.  Use this calculator  for a guide. Who:  Everyone needs an emergency fund!  Currently stable finances can become unstable quickly.  Natural disasters, a shifting economy, a split from a partner would all be times when an emergency fund could be used.  An emergency fund is invaluable for increasing the number of options available during bad times....
Read more

November Challenge: Plant Power!

-
Image
Incorporating plants into your diet, home, or lifestyle offers a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Dietary Benefits: A plant-rich diet can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Foods that are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants contribute to overall health and longevity . For instance, lentils are highlighted as a top anti-inflammatory plant-based protein, offering essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and folate . Home Environment: Introducing indoor plants into your living space can reduce stress, and improve mood. Caring for plants can also provide therapeutic benefits , aiding in mental health and cognitive function . Lifestyle Integration: Beyond diet and decor, engaging with plants through plant care routines can foster mindfulness, purpose and a sense of accomplishment. This connection to nature promotes relaxation and can be a valuable too...
Read more

Helping Yourself to Health

-
Image
The Vermont Department of Health, the Greater Burlington YMCA, and the Vermont Blueprint for Health have joined together to create MyHealthyVT, a new website for Vermonters seeking self-help for diabetes prevention and management, quitting smoking, emotional wellness, chronic disease management, and chronic pain management. The new site provides "one stop shopping" for free self-management programs. Vermonters can find contact information for their local Regional Coordinators at the site to sign up for programs. Motivational videos of real Vermonters' success stories and links to related resources are also available. The new site was featured on a recent episode of Across the Fence that addressed resources and programs for diabetes prevention and management. 
Read more

Tips From Empower: How Purposeful Spending Contributes to Long Term Happiness

-
Image
  Would it surprise you to know that some  30% of Americans have tapped into a savings account  or rainy-day fund to fuel their travel plans this summer? In this period of higher costs where everything from Airpods to airplane tickets are more expensive, consumers are having to prioritize where their money goes more than ever. Surprisingly, more people are choosing experiences over things. Even with the pinch of high inflation, there’s a way to feel good about your spending. Purposeful spending – like paying for an experience that’s been on your bucket list for a while – can contribute more to long-term happiness than the latest trend or gadget that’s purchased on a whim. Let’s take a closer look at the science behind spending and see how our savings tools can help you spend your cents smarter. Short-term versus long-term happiness While buying things might provide momentary happiness,  research from the University of Texas  suggests that experiences win out. 1 ...
Read more

Reminder: Benefits Fairs are this week!

-
Image
  Join us at one of the following Benefit Fairs! Get your benefits questions answered, get your flu or COVID vaccination with Live Well  Vermont! November 3:  State Office Complex, Waterbury, Cherry Conference Room November 4:  Pavilion Building, Montpelier, Conference Room 110 November 6:  Asa Bloomer Building, Rutland, Conference Room 266  Questions about Open Enrollment? Benefits | Department of Human Resources DHR.Benefits@vermont.gov Haven't gotten your flu vaccination yet? It's not too late. Register online* today to get your flu shot at one of the locations above: kinneydrugs.com/livewellvermont/ Questions About Flu Vaccination Clinics?  LiveWell Vermont Programming | Department of Human Resources DHR.LiveWellVermont@vermont.gov What is Open Enrollment? Open enrollment is where you can sign up for, drop, or make changes to your benefits for the next year. It’s the only time you can make these changes unless you have a major life event, like gett...
Read more