Stepchildren might not have the same legal standing as biological children if beneficiary forms don't make that clear. In a recent case, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a plan ...

The death of a loved one brings stress, despair and grief. It also often precipitates disagreements regarding the intended beneficiary of an annuity, life insurance policy or other account of the ...

Beneficiary designations are among the most important legacy decisions you will make. A variety of financial accounts, including retirement plans and life insurance policies, allow you to designate ...

Are banks legally required to give account holders written statements of their beneficiaries upon request? I want to make it easier for my heirs, but I'm having trouble getting this information in ...

A participant in a 401(k), 403(b), or other account-style retirement plan may name a beneficiary to receive his or her account balance after the participant’s death. A recent case, Moore v. NCR Corp.

Wills and trust are often thought of as the main components of an estate plan – the documents that determine who will receive our assets at death. However, simple beneficiary designation forms, which ...

We are receiving more calls about inherited IRAs from advisors than ever before. The first thing we ask is: Where’s the beneficiary form? … and then uh oh ... silence! Processing Content Checking the ...

When couples divorce, it seems obvious that they should change their beneficiary designations on a variety of accounts. But a recent case before the U.S. Supreme Court shows that sometimes such ...

The end of the calendar year often brings family into focus as we look to spend time with loved ones for the holidays. Though it may not feel like the best time to contemplate one’s demise, the season ...