Often, when people hear the term “revocable trust,” they dismiss it as rich-people business. “That’s a terrible mistake,” says estate-planning attorney Martin Shenkman. “The average...
Personal Finances
All Personal Finances Articles
How Accurate Is Credit Karma? What Your Scores Really Mean
If you’ve ever checked your credit and wondered, “How accurate is Credit Karma?”, the short answer is that Credit Karma can accurately reflect the credit...
How Much Is a Financial Advisor? Costs, Fees, and What You’ll Pay
A financial advisor can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a one-time service to several thousand dollars for ongoing advice and management. It...
What Is a Good Credit Score?
How do you know if you have good credit? “The answer depends partly on which credit-scoring model is being used,” says John Ulzheimer, president of...
Per Stirpes vs. Per Capita: Understanding the Key Differences in Estate Distribution
If a beneficiary dies before you do, who receives that person’s inheritance? The answer depends on whether your will or trust uses “per stirpes” or...
How Much Does an Estate Have to Be Worth to Go to Probate? Understanding Thresholds, Rules, and Exceptions
“Everybody hates probate,” says Ellen Cookman, JD, founder of the estate-planning firm Cookman Law—even most lawyers who collect fees from it. It’s easy to understand...
What Is Dynamic Pricing? How Real-Time Price Adjustments Work…and Why They Matter
Even though you have never heard of dynamic pricing, it probably affects you and your finances almost every day. So it is wise to learn...
How Much to Tip: A Simple Guide to Tipping Etiquette and Percentages
From tipping fatigue to tipping confusion: Many Americans feel that tipping expectations have increased in recent years, making it harder to know what’s customary—and what’s...
How to Choose a Financial Advisor: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Right Expert for Your Needs
The most important decision you can make in your financial life isn’t what house to buy or 401(k) investment to use. It’s choosing the right...
How to Make a Will: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Your Wishes and Loved Ones
It’s no fun to think about making your will. Nevertheless, says estate-planning attorney Martin Shenkman, “A will is a critical document that probably everyone 18...
Comprehensive Guide to Assets: Examples, Types, and How They Impact Your Finances
How best to assess one’s assets? A quick glance at a brokerage statement might seem to provide a sufficient summary of someone’s assets, but reality...
How to Void a Check: Step-by-Step Guide, Uses and Safety Tips
In this age of electronic banking, voiding a paper check can seem like an anachronism…so much so that many people no longer even know how...
