Bedel Blog

The SECURE Act has eliminated the option of "stretching" distributions of an inherited IRA over the beneficiary's lifetime. If you have named a trust as a beneficiary of your IRA, it may be time to review, rethink, and revise.

Many think of trusts as estate planning tools that only apply to high-net-worth individuals, but in reality a trust can be helpful for anyone with estate management and distribution goals. Unsure if a trust would be beneficial in your situation? We’ve outlined the basics of trusts and their benefits for you.

As your child heads off to college, you might feel a bit of relief knowing that your job is done...at least for a few months. But if you don’t have legal medical documents in place for your child, your job just became much harder should your student be hurt or incapacitated while away from home. Read on for our advice on documents it makes sense to have in place so you can make healthcare decisions for your child should he/she be unable to.

Heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes are all examples of chronic illnesses. One out of every two Americans has some type of a chronic condition. While this can be a physical and mental challenge, it can also have a financial impact.

What happens if you die without a will in place? Who decides where your assets go, and more importantly, who cares for your children? Without a will, these decisions are left up to the state…and you might not like their choices. Drafting a will enables you to clearly articulate your wishes for the disposition of your estate, as well as the care of your children, ensuring your final wishes are carried out. Read on for our tips on creating your will.

To many, pets are members of the family. But who will care for them when we’re gone? Including your pets in your estate plan can solve this dilemma.

Chances are planning your own funeral probably isn’t high on your list of things you’d like to do. But taking the time now to plan how you would like your life to be celebrated can be a wonderful gift for your family and friends, removing undue stress from them during an already emotional time.

Unless you have a crystal ball, it’s hard to predict what tax changes might be coming our way in 2018. But there are several strategies you can implement before December 31st that could better position you to take advantage of the 2018 changes.

What happens to your Facebook account when you die? Or, your beloved iTunes music library? Your estate plan provides for the management and ...

If you are one of the 64% of Americans who do not have a will, you are in the good company of Aretha Franklin and Prince as well as Sonny Bono, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, dying without a will can create a mess for your heirs.

There is nothing better than celebrating the birth of a new baby. If it is the first baby, there are many “first time” experiences to be enjoyed as well as some “first time” decisions to be made. Naming a guardian is one of those.