Did you think a will, trust and power of attorney was enough? Add this last thing to your estate plan.

Did you think a will, trust and power of attorney was enough?  Add this last thing to your estate plan.

Recently, when a family member died suddenly, I saw financial chaos up close: his wife couldn’t access certain accounts, didn’t have login or banking information, and didn’t even know what credit cards or bills he had. The grieving widow could have been spared the hassle and added stress of finding and accessing her late husband’s … Read more

Did you think a will, trust and power of attorney was enough? Add this last thing to your estate plan.

Did you think a will, trust and power of attorney was enough?  Add this last thing to your estate plan.

Recently, when a family member died suddenly, I saw financial chaos up close: his wife couldn’t access certain accounts, didn’t have login or banking information, and didn’t even know what credit cards or bills he had. The grieving widow could have been spared the hassle and added stress of finding and accessing her late husband’s … Read more

I have been a housewife for years and my husband is now retired. His 401(k) is in safe investments, but should we hire an advisor to grow the money?

I have been a housewife for years and my husband is now retired.  His 401(k) is in safe investments, but should we hire an advisor to grow the money?

Question: My husband and I are trying to figure out if we need a financial advisor. He’s retired and I’ve been a stay-at-home spouse since 2005. His 401(k) is still with his employer, even though he’s retired. We don’t need it to meet our monthly obligations. We would like the 401(k) to grow. However, the … Read more

I intend to retire at 62. I get $1,500 a month in rental income and have $200,000 in savings. Should I ask a financial advisor to help me?

I intend to retire at 62.  I get ,500 a month in rental income and have 0,000 in savings.  Should I ask a financial advisor to help me?

Question: I plan to retire at 62. I have $200,000 in savings and have a paid-for rental home with a rental income of $1,500 per month. My house where I live is paid for too. I don’t know what to do with my savings. How could a financial adviser help me? What do you recommend? … Read more

We want to retire in about 5 years, but we have $150,000 in credit card debt and loans and $1.4 million tied up in retirement accounts — “we really want to be retired”

We want to retire in about 5 years, but we have 0,000 in credit card debt and loans and .4 million tied up in retirement accounts — “we really want to be retired”

I am try to get outside advice on the possibility of retiring in the next 5 For 7 years. I amI have to work until I’m 59.5 to be able to start using the retirement funds. We have about $1.4 million in 401(k) and Roth accounts, $30,000 in stock, a rental house we owe $245,000 … Read more

I have been a housewife for years and my husband is now retired. His 401(k) is in safe investments, but should we hire an advisor to grow the money?

I have been a housewife for years and my husband is now retired.  His 401(k) is in safe investments, but should we hire an advisor to grow the money?

Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: My husband and I are trying to figure out if we need a financial advisor. He’s retired and I’ve been a stay-at-home spouse since 2005. His 401(k) is still with his employer, even though he’s retired. We don’t need it to meet our monthly obligations. We would like the 401(k) to grow. … Read more