When a trust inherits an IRA, it’s not just the trust structure that determines how distributions work — it’s also who ultimately benefits from the money. The SECURE Act made this especially important by creating new beneficiary categories, each with its own…
Read More
Conduit vs. Discretionary Trusts: How They Shape IRA Distributions
When a trust inherits an IRA, the question isn’t just who gets the money — it’s how and when they can take it. Once you’ve determined that your trust qualifies as a see-through trust, the next crucial step is figuring out what type of see-through trust it is. This…
Read More
When a Trust Inherits an IRA: Understanding a See-Through Trust
Naming a trust as the beneficiary of an IRA can be a smart move, especially if you want to protect heirs, control how money is distributed, or make sure assets are managed responsibly. But when an IRA passes to a…
Read More
Can Morningstar Star Ratings Be Misleading?
Every now and then, a client asks a fair question: “Why would you use a fund that doesn’t have a high Morningstar star rating?” At first glance, that seems like a red flag. After all, star ratings sound like they…
Read More
What Happens to Your HSA When You Die?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are fantastic during your lifetime, but what happens to that money when you’re gone isn’t always intuitive. In fact, HSAs behave very differently depending on who inherits them, which makes beneficiary planning especially important. If you…
Read More
HSA Strategies: How These Dollars Can Have Very Long Legs
Most people think of a Health Savings Account (HSA) as a place to park money for copays and prescriptions. Swipe the card, move on, repeat next year. That approach works, but it barely scratches the surface of what an HSA…
Read More
Home DNA Kits Are Changing Estate Planning (Whether Your Family’s Ready or Not)
A decade ago, a surprise cousin match on a DNA site was mostly just a fun conversation starter. Now? At-home DNA kits are showing up in real-life estate disputes, poking holes in assumptions families make about “who counts,” and forcing…
Read More