You may have heard the term “trust” discussed in financial advising or estate planning conversations, but what exactly is a trust? In the most basic terms, a trust is a legal arrangement in which assets are held for the benefit of someone else (the beneficiary). There are many types of trusts for various goals, and complex trust law makes it necessary to hire an experienced attorney to help you establish one. But learning the basics can help you figure out if a trust is right for your planning needs, and your financial advisor can certainly help guide you in the right direction.

For various reasons, the state of a woman’s financial security often depends on her marital status. A study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office says that women’s household income dropped by 41 percent after divorce, nearly double the size of the decline men experienced. In 2020, women earned just 82.3 cents on the dollar compared with men, according to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, a gap that was more pronounced for women of color. And women earn less than their male counterparts in nearly every occupation. Whether you are newly divorced, widowed, or single by choice, the following tips could help you shore up your financial security.

When planning your finances and future, it is important to consider ways to strengthen and secure your financial plans. One way of doing this is by ensuring you are prepared for the unexpected by having an insurance policy that will support and work alongside any emergency funds you may have.

Estate planning can be daunting, especially when you consider the various intertwining factors. One commonly asked question is whether trusts are necessary for your estate plan. In this article we will discuss various factors to help you determine whether a trust is right for you.