Bedel Blog

Having conversations and making money decisions can be tough when it involves loved ones. Being proactive can save both your money and relationships.

Helping a grandchild with their college expenses by putting money in their 529 is great! But do you know if contributions count as a gift or if the grandchild is a "skip person," or if it can hurt financial aid eligibility?

It’s stressful to know that your parents haven’t prepared for retirement. It’s even more stressful to think that they may depend on you financially.

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.

According to the Pew Research Center, 15% of middle-aged adults will end up financially supporting a parent and a child at the same time. If you find yourself in that 15%, you’re part of what has become known as the Sandwich Generation. We discuss what you should think about if you find yourself being sandwiched between the two generations.

Any parent knows how difficult it can be to watch your children struggle, and the urge to step in and help out financially can be a strong one. But it turns out you could be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to your own finances. Be sure you’re funding your own needs, such as retirement and savings accounts, before you open your wallet to your children.

This Valentine’s Day, switch it up and give the gift of financial security. Read our tips for the best Valentine’s Day gift.

Concerned about your elderly parent’s safety or ability to make sound decisions? It might be time to consider becoming a legal guardian for your parent. We’ve laid out the basics of legal guardianship and what the process might entail for you.

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.

If you’re retired or planning to be soon, a Continuing Care Retirement Community might be a good option for you. Continued independence with the added bonus of on-site medical care, maintenance-free living and amenities galore can be a draw for many retirees. But it’s important to understand your options and the associated cost – all those amenities can come with a hefty price tag! Be sure you understand your options: Read on for all the details.

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.

If your dad is suddenly hospitalized, who would your mom turn to for help? You? If so, do you understand Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care ...

You’ve executed a last will and testament and created a plan for divvying up your assets when you pass. You’re covered, right? Not ...

Anyone of any age can get scammed, but seniors make the easiest targets. Each year they lose billions of dollars to scam artists, friends, and too ...

Does someone close to you have Alzheimer’s? If so, you’ll likely want your loved one to retain his or her lifestyle and independence as ...

Lending to relatives can cause tense situations at family gatherings! While such loans could be a win-win, you need to understand the potential ramifications before you make a commitment

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.

Americans age 65 and older have more than a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term care. Aging at home as well as residing in an assisted living facility or retirement community are all options.

If you are over age 60, you probably spent a few thousand dollars or less for your wedding, including all the trimmings.

Five million! That’s the number of financial fraud cases perpetrated against seniors in the United States each year according to a recent study by Consumers Digest.

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.