Yardley Estate Planning, LLC

10/09/2025

10/02/2025

Could someone open a credit card in your name?

If your credit isn’t frozen, the answer might be yes.

The bottom line is that a credit freeze is the one thing you can do to block fraudsters from opening new accounts using your information, even if they have all or any of your personal information.

🛑 What is it?
A credit freeze is designed to restrict access to your credit report. It doesn’t hurt your score or affect your existing accounts.

When should you consider doing it?
Maybe now! It’s proactive protection and can be more effective than just monitoring your accounts.

🔓 How do you freeze your credit?
You’ll need to set up accounts at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You may be able to set up an account online, or you may have to call them.

Can you still use credit?
Yes! You can lift or "thaw" the freeze anytime, permanently or temporarily, if you’re applying for a loan, credit card, or job.

So many people have experienced some kind of fraud. Freezing your credit takes just minutes and could help you manage a financial nightmare. Taking these steps can help ensure your legacy is protected!

09/25/2025

Here’s what nobody tells you about passing on wealth…

The legal documents are important, but the conversation is what creates a real legacy. 💬

We see it all the time: a solid estate strategy, but no alignment among the people it impacts most.

✅ Have you shared your goals with your family?
✅ Do your heirs understand why your estate is structured the way it is?
✅ Have you prepared them for both the assets and the responsibilities?

Your legacy isn’t just what you leave behind; it’s what you pass forward through conversations, values, and clarity.

If you could write one sentence to be passed down through generations, what would it say?

09/18/2025

When’s the right time to transfer wealth? At death, or during life?

For some, that answer is shifting.

Lifetime gifting is becoming an increasingly strategic part of estate management not just for tax reasons but also to help provide some clarity, preserve control, and align decisions with long-term goals.

Key considerations:

✅ $13.99M federal exemption in 2025 ($27.98M for couples)
✅ $19,000 annual exclusion per recipient ($38,000 for couples)
✅ Don’t forget that your state may also impose estate taxes, and those may be well below the federal threshold
✅ Tools like trusts, donor-advised funds, and 529 plans allow for flexible, value-aligned giving
✅ Lifetime gifting may help manage your estate and unintended conflict

Gifting isn’t the right fit for everyone, but for those confident in their financial position, it may be worth a closer look as part of a proactive estate strategy.

Some donor-advised funds are considered mutual funds and are sold only by prospectus. The prospectus will provide information on charges, risks, expenses, and investment objectives and should be reviewed carefully before investing. Investment companies can provide a prospectus, or you may prefer to ask your financial professional. Please read it carefully before you invest or send money.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged college savings plan. Before choosing a plan, it's important to consider not only the state tax treatment, but also any associated fees and expenses. Availability of a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws. If you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax.

09/11/2025

What do a lot of people overlook when they inherit IRAs?
Most people think of an inherited IRA as simply another account to manage—but it can be easy to make costly mistakes.

Here’s what many people don’t understand when inheriting an IRA:

🔹 The 10-Year Rule: Typically you must withdraw all funds within 10 years, but some exceptions apply.

🔹 Lump Sum Trap: Taking everything at once can push you into a higher tax bracket, which might leave you with far less than expected.

🔹 Investment Risks: The original owner’s investments may not align with your financial goals. It’s not just “Dad’s IRA”—reallocating may be an idea to consider.

Remember that tax rules are constantly changing and there are a wide range of exceptions that can apply. There is no guarantee that the tax treatment of Roth and Traditional IRAs will remain what it is now. If you have inherited or expect to inherit a traditional or Roth IRA, be sure to consult a financial professional for guidance.

Did any of these come as a surprise to you? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇

09/04/2025

🧠Here’s a thought…
“Estate” isn’t just about assets; it also involves thoughtful preparation for how responsibilities and decisions may be handled in the future. Whether you're outlining your wishes or reviewing existing strategies, TODAY is a great time to reflect on what matters most.

Have you also considered…
Updating your will
Considering powers of attorney
Exploring strategies for future generations
Aiming to reduce potential stress for loved ones

Everyone’s situation is unique. Work with your team of professionals today!

08/28/2025

Did you know that only 24% of Americans have a will, according to a 2025 study by https://ed.gr/ehhvi? And that number has decreased in recent years. Most of those Americans have children under 18.

August is Make a Will Month, and it’s a great reminder to create a will for your family and those most important to you or to update it to reflect any changes in your life.

08/21/2025

Plan on leaving an IRA to your kids? Read this first:

Starting this year, the IRS will begin enforcing new required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for inherited IRAs. Missing a withdrawal could result in a tax penalty.

Here’s what you need to know:

📌 The “stretch IRA” is mostly gone. Most non-spouse beneficiaries must now fully deplete the account within 10 years.

📌 Annual RMDs may be required, depending on when the original owner died.

➡️ If they died before RMDs were required: No annual RMDs, just empty the account by year 10
➡️ If they died after RMDs began: Annual withdrawals are required in years 1–9

📌 Who’s exempt from the 10-year rule?
✔ Spouses
✔ Minors (Children)
✔ Beneficiaries with disabilities or chronic illnesses
✔ Heirs

08/14/2025

📣Are you confident in your estate strategy? 🤔We've assisted many clients with their estate needs. Our team helps to ensure a holistic approach to our clients estates. To help you maintain an effective estate strategy, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 most frequent estate mistakes we’ve encountered.

Mistakes to avoid:
1️⃣Failing to create a comprehensive estate strategy
2️⃣Not updating your will regularly
3️⃣Ignoring the impact of expenses when settling an estate
4️⃣Overlooking charitable giving opportunities
5️⃣Neglecting business succession
6️⃣Not communicating with heirs about estate decisions
7️⃣Not asking for help with difficult decisions

Don't leave your estate to chance! Contact us to get started.

08/07/2025

📝August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder that estate documentation deserves your attention.

A whopping 76% of Americans don't have a will. This can lead to unintended consequences for those with asset distribution and care for children. A comprehensive estate strategy can help preserve your legacy while helping manage the probate process. Consider reviewing your documentation periodically, particularly after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of children and grandchildren. Contact us to discuss how we can help.

11/11/2023

The golf gods must have heard I was happy with my play this week and punished me today. At least I was with this cutie!