In previous Dear FineMark conversations, we’ve talked about inheritance, beneficiary designations, and how family dynamics can complicate even the most thoughtful estate plans. Today’s question reminds us that sometimes, it’s not the paperwork that creates uncertainty, it’s the lack of paperwork.
Dear FineMark…Inheritances Often Come With Both Opportunity And Questions.
What happens when love and long-term planning intersect with a meaningful inheritance? In today’s Dear FineMark, Trust Administrator Read Sawczyn explains how to protect inherited assets, avoid commingling, and plan confidently for the future.
The Importance of Beneficiary Designations
An article in the Wall Street Journal serves as a good reminder of the importance of creating and also revisiting your beneficiary designations. Typically, when you buy life insurance, sign up for employer-paid life insurance or open a retirement account, you’re asked to designate either a person or entity to receive the proceeds after you …
Dear FineMark: Should I add a struggling daughter to my home’s title for security?
Today’s Dear FineMark is about add a child to your home’s title. Here’s the question… “I’m a widowed mother with two adult daughters—one financially stable in New York and the other, divorced and struggling, in Florida. I own a nice home in Florida and want to ensure my struggling daughter always has a place to …
Dear FineMark: Who can access a safe-deposit box after death?
Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a family trying to help settle a loved one’s estate. “My uncle recently passed away and we’re trying to find his will. Everyone says it’s in his safe-deposit box, but no one in the family is listed on it. We have the key, but the bank won’t let us in. …
Dear FineMark: How to secure grandchildren’s future financially smartly?
Video Title: Dear FineMark: How to secure grandchildren’s future financially smartly? Date recorded: January 1, 2026 Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a grandfather who’s thinking about his legacy, not just in dollars, but in opportunity. Here is the question… “I’m 79, recently retired, and my wife and I have been fortunate. We’ve built up about …
