We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.
Will my son inherit the house?
Will my son inherit the house? Q: I purchased a house with my married son several years ago for him to live in. My husband and I gave him the money for the down payment. Only my credit was checked when we purchased it. Both my son's name and my name are on the deed [...]
Can you avoid capital gains tax by gifting?
Can you avoid capital gains tax by gifting? A reader wants to know if they can reduce a potential capital gains tax bill by gifting a portion of the home to his daughter. Q: My daughter, my wife and I are co-owners of the home. Our daughter lived with us until 2021. We bought the [...]
What happens if my neighbor’s tree falls?
What happens if my neighbor's tree falls and there is damage? Who pays for the damage caused when trees or tree branches fall? With the increase of wild weather this Spring, we're getting an influx of questions from readers whose trees fall and cause damage to their own property and to their neighbors. They're also [...]
Execute a Living Trust After Death
How do you execute a living trust after the death of the trustee? What is the trustee's job with the living trust? How do you manage expenses with a living trust? Q: Before my father died, he and his second wife established a living trust for their house. In the trust document, my stepbrother and [...]
Why Do High Credit Scores Matter?
Why do high credit scores matter? High credit scores help determine a person's creditworthiness. Creditors are much more likely to give you a loan or approve your credit card application if you are deemed credit worthy. In addition, if you have a high credit score, you'll get a lower interest rate offer and often a [...]
Can We Switch Inheritances?
Can we switch inheritances? Two brothers don't want to share the two properties they inherited. They'd rather switch inheritances, so that each brother inherits a separate property. Can the estate handle this? Inheritances Can Be Complicated Q: My brother and I inherited two houses upon my father's death. We each share half interest in each [...]
Inheriting a Home: Options to Consider
Are you inheriting a home? There are several options to consider if you'll be the beneficiary of this sort of bequest and don't want to keep it. Inheriting a Home: To Keep or Sell Q: I read your column regularly and always find it very interesting and informative. I have a rather complicated question: My [...]
Personal Finance Resolutions for 2023
Every year, Ilyce and Sam offer their readers New Year’s resolutions for home buyers, sellers and their personal finances. These are their personal finance resolutions for 2023. As we finish the third year of the pandemic, money and credit issues continue to weigh heavily on the minds of most Americans. Let’s take a moment and [...]
Inheriting Property in a Trust
Inheriting property in a trust is far easier than going through probate. Q: My dad owns a duplex. He lives upstairs and rents the downstairs unit. He wants me to inherit the property after he dies. Should we transfer ownership of the property by will or by adding me to the deed? I understand all [...]
Options for Parents Lending Money to Kids
What are the options for parents lending money to kids? How can you safely lend money to your kids and not run afoul of the law? Q: I read with interest one of your older articles online about the Dodd Frank Act and whether personal loans are subject to it. I want to lend money [...]