Our Blog - Surety Matters

  Simply stated, inheritance litigation occurs when there is conflict over how the assets of someone who dies are distributed. Legal experts offer examples as well as some common reasons for litigation—and how to avoid…
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Probate: True or False? There tends to be a lot of confusion about what happens during the probate process. Simply put, probate makes our affairs public when we die, with the court supervising the distribution of…
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Legal experts address the fears that hold many families back from putting estate plans in place, providing encouragement and information to help jump-start the effort. Remember, almost everyone has an estate and thoughtful planning, even…
Read Moreabout Estate Planning: Proceed!

  Yes! When a trust is created, the trustor (or grantor) names a trustee to administer the assets in accordance with their wishes. Trustees are fiduciaries—held to the highest duty of care in executing their…
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  Alleging a variety of ERISA violations, the former participants of a KPMG 401(k) plan are suing the company—and the plan fiduciaries. The complaint has been filed in U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey,…
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  Making guaranteed lifetime income options more readily available through 401(k) plans is a list topper for plan providers—and employers— these days. Here’s why—and an example of how Blackrock is proceeding.   Guaranteed Lifetime Income?…
Read Moreabout Decisions, Decisions: Annuities?

  The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports a 69% spike in cybercrime complaints from 2019-2020. Financial losses totaled over $4 billion. As the techniques deployed by cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, retirement plan recordkeepers are…
Read Moreabout Cybercriminals: Sophisticated Techniques

Although ERISA does not require retirement plan committees, having the help of experts can contribute to decisions that are made prudently, in the best interests of participants and beneficiaries. Follow this expert guidance to ensure…
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  Although it is often assumed that it is best to avoid the probate process when planning how to pass along our assets to loved ones, estate planners find that sometimes the probate process can…
Read Moreabout Probate Can Be Helpful