COVID-19: Unemployment and the Mounting Financial Crisis
COVID-19: unemployment and the mounting financial crisis. Understanding how people live paycheck-to-paycheck and the implications of extended unemployment. Q: In your recent column in the Washington Post, it was stated that “nearly 80 percent of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck before the pandemic…” I want to know how do you define living paycheck-to-paycheck when [...]
How Can You Help Better Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
How can you help better protect against ID theft? How can you more quickly spot potential warning signs of identity theft to help better protect yourself? How can you help better protect yourself against identity theft? The Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has presented new opportunities for identity thieves and other bad actors to use the [...]
How Do You Change A Deed from Tenants in Common to Joint Tenants?
How do you change a deed from tenants in common to joint tenants? This homeowner also wants to know if it will trigger any adverse tax consequences. Q: My wife and I purchased a home over 40 years ago. The original deed is titled as John Smith and Sally Smith. This defaults to tenants in [...]
Revocable vs Irrevocable Trust: Which is Better
Revocable vs irrevocable trust: which is better. The difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts and the purpose each serves in estate planning. Q: I am divorced and have two grown daughters. I am placing my house in a trust. My attorney is recommending an irrevocable trust. Which do you prefer, revocable or irrevocable and why? [...]
Is Summer Canceled Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Is summer canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Not exactly, but some summer events and activities can’t happen while social distancing is in effect. This summer, things are going to be a bit different. The coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing efforts to limit its spread mean that summertime events that draw big crowds are [...]
How Will COVID-19 Impact Retirement Planning?
How Will COVID-19 impact retirement planning? New research finds older Americans might have to delay retirement due to the coronavirus pandemic. The financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is already devastating to millions of consumers. More than 40 percent of Americans say their level of financial security has deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Around [...]