May 15, 2021

There are certain documents that EVERY adult should have. While we don’t know when any will be required, there is a certainty they will be needed. The must-have list starts with four documents: a will, a durable power of attorney, an advanced health care directive, and a HIPAA release form.  Let's dive in to each.

November 15, 2020

As many long-time clients will attest, I tend to share lessons I learn in life through this column. Some lessons may apply to more readers than others, but I always hope there is some value to at least a few of you. In this instance, I think I learned something that has the potential to benefit everyone. While that may be a bold statement, hear me out.

February 15, 2020

Over the past few years, a lot has been written about the transfer of inter-generational wealth. The premise is that the Baby Boomers have amassed significant sums of money that they will not spend during their lifetime. Thus, these mini-fortunes will presumably pass on to their heirs.

But if you’re banking on an inheritance to make your financial plan whole, let’s not count those dollars just yet.

November 15, 2018

By: John Zeltmann

Since my Dad's passing earlier this year, my Mom and I have spent countless hours wrapping up his finances.  I thought I'd share my impressions from the past several months, highlighting lessons we learned from bumps in the road they managed to avoid (as well as some they didn't).

March 31, 2018

By: John Zeltmann

My parents' estate planning attorney looked at me in disbelief: "Did you just say 'dry run'?"

My father had passed away ten days ago. My Mom, Sister, Aunt and I were sitting in a meeting room in the attorney’s office, reviewing my Dad's will and the immediate steps that had to be taken. Everyone was still in a bit of shock, reeling from the last few weeks. We had months to grapple with the prospect of life without Dad, but once he was gone, it still felt all too sudden.

March 31, 2018

According to a recent article published in Money¹ magazine, here are some tips to maximize the value of what you donate to charity.

Choose Right

December 31, 2017

By: John Zeltmann

Meet Abby and Ben.  Abby is our 2-year-old daughter.  Readers of this newsletter have already met Ben (5 years old) in a recent article espousing the benefits of teaching personal finance to children at an early age. While Abby and Ben are great kids, there’s at least one thing I’m not ready to hoist upon them should my wife and I meet a premature demise: our retirement plan balances and life insurance proceeds.