Financial

What is Long-Term Care and How Does it Fit into Your LGBT Family?, by Mary Stockton :: The truth is, no matter when the need arises, because of age, disability, or because of an unexpected illness or accident, long-term care can affect any age group, any social strata, and any geographic location. But what is it and how can you plan for it? more »

Using Planned Giving to Add Value to Your Charitable Donations, by Mary Stockton :: The generosity of the American people is evident in the record of charitable giving in the United States. 89% of American households give to charitable causes each year, individually averaging $1,620 annually. Click to ascertain how to make these contributions work in your best interest. more »

Keeping Your Promises: Saving for College with 529 Plans and Upromise, by Mary Stockton :: A college degree has never been more important: there is a solution for GLBT families: plan early, save regularly and invest wisely. Don’t let sky-high estimates of what a top private college may cost in 2020 keep you from taking action today. Even modest savings can make a difference. more »

Financial Tips for Gays and Lesbians: Recession-Proof 401(k) Investing, by Mary Stockton :: With concerns about our economy on everybody’s lips, many gays and lesbians may feel tempted to make immediate and drastic adjustments to their 401(k) or 403(b) accounts. Such knee-jerk reactions are understandable–—few things can invoke panic like the thought of losing everything you and your partner have worked to build. more »

Tax Tips for Gays, Lesbians and Same-Sex Couples, by Ramone Johnson, About.com :: The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law in 1996, defines marriage as between one man and one woman, prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex couples. And since only married couples can file joint federal tax returns, all gay and lesbian couples (including same-sex spouses in Massachusetts) must file federal taxes as individuals. Read here to see if your state is among a handful that have differing tax laws. more »

Special Needs Children IN LGBT Families and Financial Concerns, by Mary L. Stockton, LUTCF :: Parenting is a tough job. But if you’re an LGBT parent of one of the six million school-age disabled children in the U.S. today, you know that job can be even more challenging, especially financially. Read this great article on how you might financially care for your special needs children. more »

Mergers and Acquisitions for Gay and Lesbian Couples: Combining Your Financial Lives After Partnership, by Mary L. Stockton, LUTCF :: To help minimize or avoid serious financial complications in your new life together, it’s important to talk candidly with your same-sex partner before committing to a long-term relationship. more »

Turning Back The Hands of “T.I.M.E.”, by Mary L. Stockton, LUTCF :: Financial Advice for Gay and Lesbian Families: For busy gay and lesbian families, it seems there’s just never enough time. But when it comes to planning for our financial future, there’s always too much “T.I.M.E.” T.I.M.E. stands for Taxes, Inflation, Mistakes, and Emergencies. Building a nest egg that can withstand the test of T.I.M.E. requires careful planning. We can’t change T.I.M.E., but there are some steps we can take to help minimize its ravages. more »

Yes, You Can Afford To Pay For Your Children’s Education, by Mary L. Stockton, LUTCF :: Your children’s future is important to you and your partner. Attending college can be one of the most rewarding times of their life. Ensure that your children will have that opportunity to learn, to grow, to graduate from a fine university. Start accumulating funds today and one day you and your partner may be standing proud at their graduation ceremony. However, get educated on the potential pitfalls that are specific to gay and lesbian families by reading this article:. more »

Five Insurance And Financial Mistakes That Can Cost You, by Mary L. Stockton, LUTCF :: You owe it to your family to have an estate plan in place. Be sure to protect your partner by explicitly naming him or her as the beneficiary; in today’s homophobic courts, the rights of gay and lesbian couples are steadily diminishing. Read this article and discover if you are making these Five Insurance and Financial Mistakes.. more »

Asset Management for Same Sex Couples, by Angela Watson :: With regard to wealth management, same sex partners are treated as two single people who do not have the same rights and benefits as a married couple. Read here to get the facts on financial planning. . more »

Dictionary of Financial Terms, by Marci Bair, CFP :: Do you know what COBRA stands for? Or what the differences are between a CPA, a CFP or a ChFC? If not, then this helpful dictionary of commonly used financial terms can be useful as you are deciding how to protect your family in what is perhaps the most important way ever: financially! . more »

Same-Sex Couples Encounter Unique Obstacles in Estate Planning, by Richard B. Schneider, Esquire :: Same-sex couples face many obstacles in planning for the future. However, with the help of a qualified estate planning attorney, couples facing these challenges can overcome many of the hurdles. Effective estate planning alleviates stress and frustration and helps to ensure your wishes are met. . more »

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