Estate Planning

Financial Planning in the Face of a Terminal Illness

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jan 16, 20234 min read

Financial Planning in the Face of a Terminal Illness

Financial planning for a terminal illness is a daunting task, but it can relieve a tremendous burden from you and your family.

Digital Estate Planning: 5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Assets

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jun 20, 20225 min read

Digital Estate Planning: 5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Assets

Estate planning doesn’t end with your will. You should make sure there is a plan in place for your digital assets, also.

John J. Diak, CFP®

Apr 11, 20225 min read

Understanding Special Needs Trusts

If you have a disabled loved one, a special needs trust can give them access to additional assets without losing their benefits.

Choosing a Caregiver When Family Isn’t an Option

John J. Diak, CFP®

Mar 21, 20225 min read

Choosing a Caregiver When Family Isn’t an Option

Choosing a caregiver for a loved one is a daunting task that will likely have you navigating unfamiliar waters.

How to Protect Your Children and Their Inheritance with a Trust

John J. Diak, CFP®

Feb 7, 20225 min read

How to Protect Your Children and Their Inheritance with a Trust

Do you plan to leave everything to your children? Placing your assets in a trust is a good way to protect them from the downsides.

Checklist for What to Do When a Spouse or Parent Dies

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jun 7, 20217 min read

Checklist for What to Do When a Spouse or Parent Dies

When a spouse or parent dies, there are lots of details to take care of. This checklist will help you know what to do so you avoid mistakes.

Checklist for Estate Planning: Review Estate Planning Documents

John J. Diak, CFP®

Feb 8, 20216 min read

Checklist for Estate Planning: Review Estate Planning Documents

Estate planning is a complex process that is never fully finished. Use this checklist to review your estate planning documents.

Revisiting Your Beneficiary Designations

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jan 11, 20214 min read

Revisiting Your Beneficiary Designations

Periodically revisiting your beneficiary designations for insurance and retirement accounts is critical to ensure your final wishes are met.

End-of-Life Planning: Does Your Family Know Your Wishes?

John J. Diak, CFP®

Dec 10, 20193 min read

End-of-Life Planning: Does Your Family Know Your Wishes?

End-of-Life planning should be a priority, it is the process of making critical decisions about how you want your healthcare, medical treat

Is Vulnerability Planning Factored Into Your Estate Plan?

John J. Diak, CFP®

Oct 7, 20195 min read

Is Vulnerability Planning Factored Into Your Estate Plan?

Your estate planning should cover more than just what happens to your assets when you die. It also needs to account for how your assets are

10 Smart Tips for Getting Organized with Estate Planning

John J. Diak, CFP®

May 1, 20198 min read

10 Smart Tips for Getting Organized with Estate Planning

Creating an estate plan in case of your death or disability can help your heirs avoid unneeded stress and uncertainty. Here are 10 steps to

John J. Diak, CFP®

Feb 26, 20196 min read

When a Family Member Dies

When a family member dies there are a multitude of issues to look after, from getting a copy of the death certificate to finding insurance p

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jan 15, 20194 min read

An Executor Checklist

It is no small responsibility to serve as an executor, especially for a complex estate. Prepare for the tasks ahead of you, so that you may

Minimizing Probate When Setting Up Your Estate

John J. Diak, CFP®

Oct 30, 20184 min read

Minimizing Probate When Setting Up Your Estate

Probate can eat up as much as 5% of your estate. How can you exempt more of your assets from probate and its costs? Here are a few ideas.

Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?

John J. Diak, CFP®

Apr 2, 20183 min read

Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?

Your beneficiary choices may seem obvious when you initially make them, time has a way of altering things. In a stretch of five or ten years

The Risk of Being a Suddenly Single Woman

John J. Diak, CFP®

Mar 20, 20183 min read

The Risk of Being a Suddenly Single Woman

With a clear understanding of where she stands, financially, a widow may evaluate her investment and wealth management options and take step

Talking to Your Heirs About Your Estate Plan

John J. Diak, CFP®

Jan 2, 20183 min read

Talking to Your Heirs About Your Estate Plan

Some of us may retire at 65 and live to 100 or 105. Advances in health care may make this a strong possibility. The corresponding question i

An Estate Plan or a Wealth Transfer Strategy?

John J. Diak, CFP®

Dec 26, 20173 min read

An Estate Plan or a Wealth Transfer Strategy?

There are three degrees of estate planning: advanced, basic, and none at all. Basic estate documents may be in place but they may not convey

Financial Priorities Young Families Should Address

John J. Diak, CFP®

Nov 7, 20173 min read

Financial Priorities Young Families Should Address

Parenting presents you with definite, sudden, financial needs to address. By focusing on those needs today, you may give yourself a head sta

John J. Diak, CFP®

Oct 31, 20173 min read

Understanding the Gift Tax

Practically speaking, the federal gift tax is a tax on estates. If it wasn’t in place, the rich could simply give away the bulk of their mon

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